By Kathleen Suss, Executive Director, Concordia Conservatory

May 26, 2026: Concordia Conservatory presents the final concert of its Concordia Classics at the Keyboard series, America at 250, on Friday, May 29 at 1:00 pm at Stein Hall in Bronxville.

Marking the 250th anniversary of the United States, this thoughtfully curated program reflects on the many voices, tensions, and stories that have shaped the nation’s musical identity. Rather than a single narrative, American music emerges as a rich tapestry of influences—diverse,
complex, and continually evolving. This concert invites audiences to listen deeply to that multiplicity of voices with openness and curiosity.

Performed by Concordia Conservatory piano faculty member and series artistic director, Ji Na Kim, the program features works by Charles Ives, George Gershwin, Amy Beach, Henry Cowell, Leon Kirchner, and William Bolcom. Together, these composers represent a wide spectrum of American musical expression, from bold experimentation to lyrical introspection. Through both performance and commentary, Kim offers insight into the historical and cultural contexts behind the music, guiding audiences toward a deeper understanding of its enduring resonance.

Tickets are $27 for adults and $13.50 for seniors and children. Seating is limited. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit concordiaconservatory.org or call 914-395-4507.

About the Artist

Pianist Ji Na Kim has built a career defined by versatility and a deep belief in music’s power to connect—with audiences in concert halls, students in classrooms, and communities beyond traditional stages. A native of South Korea, she performs internationally as both a soloist and chamber musician, appearing across the United States, Europe, Canada, and Korea. Her performances have taken her to venues including Alice Tully Hall and Rose Theater at Lincoln Center, the Spieker Center for the Arts, the Lied Center, Bella Concert Hall, and the Staller
Center for the Arts. An accomplished chamber musician, Kim has participated in leading festivals such as Music@Menlo, the Kneisel Hall Chamber Music Festival, the Gijón International Piano Festival, and the Banff Music Festival. At Music@Menlo, she collaborated with members of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, with performances recorded live on Gather, a Music@Menlo album. In 2019, she won the Stony Brook University Concerto Competition and performed Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G Major with the Stony Brook Symphony Orchestra.

Kim is the artistic director of Concordia Classics at the Keyboard, where she curates thoughtfully designed programs that invite audiences into a more personal and immediate experience of music. Her programming reflects a commitment to making classical music feel accessible,
engaging, and alive.

Deeply dedicated to education, Kim serves on the faculty of Concordia Conservatory and the JCC Thurnauer School of Music, and has previously held teaching positions at Susquehanna University and Stony Brook University. As an Educational Outreach Fellow at the Juilliard
School, she brought classical music directly to K–12 students in New York City public schools and presented interactive performances in nursing homes, pediatric centers, homeless shelters, and hospitals—work grounded in her conviction that music belongs to everyone.

Ji Na Kim holds Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the Juilliard School, where she studied with Julian Martin, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Stony Brook University under the guidance of Gilbert Kalish.