Praised by The Washington Post for her “mesmerizing” and “stirring” performances, JIJI is an adventurous guitarist known for her virtuosity and command of diverse repertoire. Equally at home with both acoustic and electric guitar, her concert programs range from traditional and contemporary classical to free improvisation.
Through her impeccable musicianship, compelling stage presence, and commitment to commissioning and performing new musical works, JIJI has solidified her reputation as a top 21st century guitarist. In 2021, The Washington Post selected JIJI as “one of the 21 composers/performers who sound like tomorrow,” and The Kansas City Star recently described her as “a graceful and nuanced player.” In recent seasons, JIJI has presented solo recitals at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall; Lincoln Center; 92nd Street Y; Caramoor; Green Music Center; and the National Art Gallery, among other distinguished venues. Her performances have been featured on PBS (On Stage at Curtis), NPR’s From the Top, WHYY-TV, FOX 4-TV, Munchies (the Vice Channel), The Not So Late Show (Channel 6, Kansas), and Hong Kong broadcast station RTHK’s The Works. In 2016, she became the first guitarist in 30 years to secure first prize in the Concert Artists Guild Competition.
JIJI has premiered solo and chamber works by a diverse range of musical artists, including David Lang, Steven Mackey, Michael Gilbertson, Paul Lansky, Natalie Dietterich, Hilary Purrington, Shelley Washington, Kate Moore, Chris Rountree, Gulli Björnsson, and Molly Joyce. In 2024, JIJI will release UNBOUND, the culmination of a multiyear commissioning and recording project. A sought-after and versatile collaborator, JIJI’s recent chamber and ensemble performances include appearances with the New York Philharmonic’s Nightcap Series; Cuarteto Latinoamericano; the Verona Quartet; Wildup; Duo Linu; and violinist Danbi Um , among others. During the 2023–24 season, JIJI made her debut at Verizon Hall with Curtis Symphony Orchestra premiering a new guitar concerto by Grammy winning composer Steven Mackey.
JIJI has also gained a reputation as a sought-after concerto soloist. Recent appearances include performances with the American Composers Orchestra; Kansas City Symphony; Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra; Sinfonietta Riga; the Augusta Symphony; the Duluth Symphony Orchestra; New West Symphony; New York Youth Symphony; Southwest Michigan Symphony; and more. Equally fluent in classical and contemporary genres, her interpretation of Joaquin Rodrigo’s landmark Concierto de Aranjuez has enthralled audiences across the country, and her premieres of new guitar concertos continue to break new ground. Over the last five years alone, JIJI has premiered four major concertos by composers Natalie Dietterich (LIGHT, BELOVED, 2018), Hilary Purrington (Harp of Nerves, 2019), Krists Auznieks (Apvārsnis Kamolā, 2021), and Steven Mackey (Aluminum Flowers, 2024).
A committed educator, she is an Associate Professor of Guitar at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. She has presented master classes and workshops extensively, including at the Peabody Institute, Yale University, and Dublin’s National Concert Hall, among many others.
In addition to advocating for the music of her contemporaries, JIJI also performs and records many of her own works, and she continues to develop her distinctive compositional voice. She is currently working on an EP with R&B singer Daniel Fears. The EP will be released in 2024 summer.
During her spare time, JIJI enjoys cooking and creating weird sounds on Ableton. She is represented by Kirshbaum Associates, Inc. and sponsored by Augustine Strings and GuitarLift by Felix Justen.
Photo credit: Cheonga Kim