Seung Myeong Oh
Seung-Myeong Oh is a leading percussionist and an exceptional marimbist born on Jeju Island, Korea. Passionate about spreading his love for percussion, Oh serves as an important pedagogical leader to younger generations of percussionists and marimbists in his beautiful hometown of Jeju Island, which is home to World Natural Heritage Sites designated by UNESCO.
Oh is an endorser of Adams Percussion Instruments and Innovative Percussion, and is currently the Principal Timpanist of the Jeju Philharmonic Orchestra and Guest Professor at Jeju National University in Korea. He has trained students as a guest professor and lecturer in schools ranging from elementary schools to universities in South Korea, including Branksome Hall Asia, Hamdeok High School in Jeju, Chugye University for the Arts, and Seokyung University. He is also the Founder and Director of the Oh Percussion Group and the Oh Junior Percussion Ensemble.
Over the past decade, Oh has played a key role in leading several international percussion academies, festivals, and competitions on Jeju Island. He is the founder and organizer of the Jeju International Percussion Academy & Festival ( JIPA ) since 2010. Since 2012, Oh has served as an executive committee member of the Jeju International Wind Ensemble Festival ( JIWEF ) and the Jeju International Brass & Percussion Competition.
After receiving his Bachelor’s degree in Percussion at Chugye University for the Arts in Korea, Oh joined marimba virtuoso Ludwig Albert for his graduate training. He graduated from the Royal Conservatorium Antwerp with a Master’s in Percussion and a Postgraduate degree in concert soloist marimba with the greatest distinction. He then obtained another Master’s degree in Chamber Music from the Lemmens Institute in Leuven, also with great distinction.
Oh had the honor of performing the ‘Prologue’ at the International Performing Arts Center — De Singel. He built his marimba career throughout Europe during his stay in Belgium, performing a recital for Love Art Gallery in Antwerp, at the Embassy of Belgium at the Residence Palace in Brussels, and many other venues in Europe, including an invitation to the 5th International Percussion Festival Bjelovar in Croatia.
Oh won 2nd Prize ( Laureate ) at the 6th International Competition of Percussion in Italy ( 2008 ), and received First Prize and the Grand Prix at the first Sacheon International Percussion Competition in 2004.
As a renowned marimbist, Oh was invited to the Cremona Summer Festival in Italy in 2012, where he was applauded for his magnificent marimba performance. He has lectured at the Ludwig Albert International Marimba Academy in Portugal and Belgium and was nominated as a judge for the 2015 International Percussion Youth Competition in Belgium. Acknowledged for his outstanding talent, Oh was the first Korean to be selected as a judge for the 20-year anniversary of the 8th Belgium Universal International Marimba Competition ( July 2020 ) and the first Thailand International Percussion Competition ( February 2019 ).
Oh’s recognition extends beyond Europe to Asia and South Korea. He was invited to lead a percussion masterclass at Rangsit University, Thailand in 2011, and has performed in Singapore, Yangzhou, Beijing, and Bangkok. As a leading marimbist in Korea, Oh was chosen by Chosun Ilbo Company to perform his debut concert at Sejong Cultural Center in Seoul in 2005. He was selected by audition by the Kumho Cultural Foundation to perform his first percussion recital in the Kumho Young Artist Concert Series in Seoul in 2006.
Known for his soft and charismatic musical style, Oh is a pioneer passionate about developing marimba and percussion culture in his hometown of Jeju Island. He seeks to introduce the dynamic and charming features of percussion and marimba to broader generations and to continue his musical endeavors in Jeju and worldwide as a leading percussionist and marimbist.
