Recognized for his exquisite artistry and distinctive creativity, Dr. Youngik Jang is an award- winning guitarist who pursues his musical passion as a renowned performer, teacher, and composer. Following his first prize at Seoul Baroque Competition in South Korea, Dr. Jang has received numerous awards; most notably the winner’s prize in the small ensemble division at Guitar Foundation of America and second prize at Edwin H. & Leigh W. Schadt String Competition in Allentown, Pennsylvania. His many international performances of note include several Guitar Foundation of America Conferences, the Thursday Noon Series at Peabody Institute, the Walters Art Museum, Peabody Fret Festival, Charlie Byrd Memorial Scholarship Series, Wilmington Classical Guitar Society, Museum of Shenandoah Valley, INOVA Hospital, Pyeongchang Special Music & Art Festival in South Korea, and Sungshin Women’s University in South Korea.

As a teacher, Dr. Jang possesses extensive experience and achievements in both pre-college and collegiate programs. Students from his studio have been admitted to the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, Berklee College of Music, Shenandoah University, University of Maryland, and George Mason University with generous scholarships. Additional student achievements and awards include Beacon Conference Renaissance Scholarships and the New York Golden Classical Music Awards International Competition at Carnegie Hall. In addition to guitar performance, Dr. Jang’s students also pursue careers in composition, production, education, music therapy, and neuroscience. Dr. Jang currently holds faculty positions as a Professor of Music at Montgomery College and the Peabody Preparatory of Johns Hopkins University where his focuses are performance, music education and composition. Dr. Jang is also committed to the excellent instruction of young children, and has received his Suzuki Book 1 training at the Illinois Suzuki institute with MaryLou Roberts.

As a composer, Dr. Jang incorporates classical style with modern instruments and their sonic language, such as in his composition for electric guitar and loop station that was premiered at the Computer Music Consort at Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Jang has also worked in K-pop and the film scoring industry in South Korea, with multiple internationally acclaimed movies including “Ode to My Father,” “The Face Reader,” “Perfect Number,” and “The Neighbors.”

Dr. Jang received his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in Classical guitar performance at the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree at Shenandoah University. His mentors include Seung-kook Oh at Yewon art school in South Korea, multi-awards-winning guitarist and composer, Byeong-woo Lee, Kenton Youngstrom at Idyllwild Arts Academy in California, and Julian Gray at Peabody Institute and Shenandoah University.