Born into a musical family, Keum Hwa Cha was inspired by her mother, one of South Korea’s most respected violin pedagogues, and chose to pursue a life in music. After moving to the United States, Cha continued her studies at the New England Conservatory, where she earned her Bachelor of Music degree. She received both her Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from the Eastman School of Music and later completed an Artist Certificate at the Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University as a full merit scholarship recipient. Cha studied violin with Hyo Kang, Masuko Ushioda, Charles Castleman, and Chee-Yun, and worked with Eric Shumsky, James Dunham, Norman Fisher, Andres Diaz, and the Ying Quartet. She also studied historical performance practice with Paul O’Dette and Malcolm Bilson.
Cha’s performances have connected with audiences across the United States and South Korea. Known for her expressive artistry and collaborative leadership, she has appeared as concertmaster with Chee-Yun, the Marcus Roberts Trio, Béla Fleck, and Time for Three, and has performed under conductors such as David Effron, Robert Shaw, and Stanislaw Skrowaczewski. Her festival engagements include Kneisel Hall, the Castleman Quartet Program, the Philadelphia International Music Festival, the Ima Leete Hutchison Concert Series, and the Lydian String Quartet Festival.
Teaching is a central part of Cha’s life, grounded in her belief in nurturing musical excellence and artistic growth in her students. Prior to joining the Colburn School in 2023, she held faculty positions at the University of Rochester, Dankook University, Chung-Ang University, Pepperdine University, California Lutheran University, and Idaho State University, where she served as Assistant Professor of Music. Her students have earned numerous accolades and concerto competition awards, including the ISCS Young Artist Competition, the CHICO Young Artists Series, and the Henry Schwab Violin and Viola Competition. Her students have pursued further studies at leading conservatories, including the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and SMU’s Meadows School of the Arts, and they have established professional careers as performers and educators.
Outside her classical career, Cha is deeply committed to service, finding great joy in youth ministry and in playing on the praise team at her church in the Los Angeles suburbs.