The DARI project aims to build and strengthen bridges between students, performers, and pedagogues, contemporary Korean compositions to the Western classical canon, and more. It is funded by the University of Illinois Research Board.
About the DARI Project
The Dari Music Project presents a groundbreaking program that aims to build and strengthen bridges between music students, performers, and pedagogues, contemporary Korean compositions and the classical Western canon, and more by showcasing artistic excellence while fostering deep educational impact and cultural exchange. Championed by violinist Salley Koo, Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Dari – meaning “bridge” in Korean, builds vital connections within the classical music landscape while also amplifying music by Korean composers.
With funding from the University of Illinois Research Board, Koo commissioned five distinguished Korean composers to create an innovative body of new works—from solo violin to violin duo to piano trio compositions. What truly sets Dari apart is the inclusion of accessible companion pieces, specifically crafted for students, directly addressing the unfamiliarity and limited exposure students face when approaching contemporary repertoire.
Following triumphant world premiere concerts in Chicago and New York, (performed by Koo alongside Dawn Dongeun Wohn, Daniel McDonough, and Alexander Solomon), these remarkable works were recorded in mid 2025 by multi-year Grammy winning Classical Producer of the Year, Judith Sherman, and are now poised for sharing. To explore bringing this unique and impactful project, including performances, masterclasses, and educational workshops, to your institution or venue, please contact Dr. Salley Koo directly to discuss collaboration opportunities.
More than music.
DARI is a movement to inspire, educate, and bridge people together
5 world premieres by Korean Composers
Kyong Mee Choi
Hee Yun Kim
Texu Kim
Matthew Jihoon Pellegrino
Juri Seo
KYONG MEE CHOI | The Unreal Never Lived (2024)
About This Work
The piece is based on the book “I Am That” by Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj who is known for nondualism, and emphasizes the primary practice of self-realization. The title of the piece came from one of Maharj’s quotes, “The real does not die, the unreal never lived.” The piece is commissioned by Salley Koo with the Research Board Grant of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
About The Composer
Kyong Mee Choi, composer, visual artist, painter, organist, and poet, received several prestigious awards and grants, including the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellowship, Robert Helps Prize, Aaron Copland Award, and John Donald Robb Musical Trust Fund Commission. Choi received awards from Concurso Internacional de Música Eletroacústica de São Paulo, Musique et d’Art Sonore Electroacoustiques de Bourges, Musica Nova, Society of Electroacoustic Music of Czech Republic, Luigi Russolo International Competition, Destellos Competition, the Contest for the International Contemporary Music Contest "Citta' di Udine, Concurso Internacional de Composicai eletroacoustica in Brazil, and ASCAP/SEAMUS. Choi’s music was published at CIMESP (São Paulo, Brazil), Détonants Voyages (Studio Forum, France), MUSLAB-CERO Records, Ablaze, NOVA, SCI, EMS, ERM, and SEAMUS. Ravello Records published her multimedia opera, THE ETERNAL TAO, supported by the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellowship, and her second opera, Pale Courage, received critical acclaim. Aucourant Records published her album, SORI, featuring her eight compositions for solo instruments and electronics. Choi is a Professor of Music Composition and the Program Director of Music Composition and Music and Computing Programs at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University in Chicago. Her music and art can be found at kyongmeechoi.com
Listen to an Exceprt
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DARI Project Residency
A residency with Dr. Koo can be curated… […] …and the community:
Energetic Performances
of New Korean-American Music
Masterclasses
on Contemporary music performance
Workshops
for students... ...by Korean composers
Culminating Recital
collaborating with...
Expert Panel Discussions
how to become more exposed...
Featured Community Guests
discussing themes related to project
Suggested Performance Programs
Collaborative performances with violinist, Dr. Koo, to facilitate bringing the DARI project to your orchestra or institution. The following programs are recommended for the available musicians indicated:
Cello, Piano, + Violin
Piano Trio + Violin Duet
Kim Lots of A's and Some B's
PELLEGRINO Sanjo Sonata for Violin Solo
KYONG MEE CHOI The Unreal Never Lived (for violin & piano)
SEO July Mountain Piano Trio
HEE YUN KIM Reboot Piano Trio
Piano
Piano Trio + Violin Duet
Kim Lots of A's and Some B's
PELLEGRINO Sanjo Sonata for Violin Solo
KYONG MEE CHOI The Unreal Never Lived (for violin & piano)
SEO July Mountain Piano Trio
HEE YUN KIM Reboot Piano Trio
Violin
Piano Trio + Violin Duet
Kim Lots of A's and Some B's
PELLEGRINO Sanjo Sonata for Violin Solo
KYONG MEE CHOI The Unreal Never Lived (for violin & piano)
SEO July Mountain Piano Trio
HEE YUN KIM Reboot Piano Trio
Piano & Cello
Piano Trio + Violin Duet
Kim Lots of A's and Some B's
PELLEGRINO Sanjo Sonata for Violin Solo
KYONG MEE CHOI The Unreal Never Lived (for violin & piano)
SEO July Mountain Piano Trio
HEE YUN KIM Reboot Piano Trio
Dr. Salley Koo is committed to providing access to all higher education institutions. She would be happy to work within your budget – whatever is possible to build and strengthen bridges between students, performers, and pedagogues, integrate contemporary Korean compositions to the Western classical canon, and more.
Dr. Salley Koo
University of Illinois
A violinist of great range and energy, Salley Koo has performed internationally as a solo, chamber, and orchestral musician. Her recent calendar includes engagements as soloist, recitalist, chamber musician, orchestral guest, and faculty in California, Minnesota, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Salley has appeared in concert at the Musikverein in Vienna, Carnegie Hall, Town Hall, Central Park, Music from Salem, the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia, the National Cathedral and National Gallery in Washington D.C., Columbia Museum of Art, the Harris Theater in Chicago, the Nasher Series in Dallas, the Peoples Symphony Concerts, the Ojai, Tanglewood, Ravinia, Skaneateles, and Caramoor Festivals, and on tour alongside artists ranging from Bela Fleck to Dawn Upshaw to Gil Shaham. She soloed with the Lebanese Philharmonic Orchestra and recently returned a third time to Lebanon as artist in residence with the IMAGINE Workshop and Concert Series at the Lebanese American University in Beirut, Lebanon. She is regularly invited as a guest artist with groups such as the Minnesota Orchestra, Orchestra of St. Luke’s, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, East Coast Chamber Orchestra, the International Contemporary Ensemble, and the Knights.
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A violinist of great range and energy, Salley Koo has performed internationally as a solo, chamber, and orchestral musician. Her recent calendar includes engagements as soloist, recitalist, chamber musician, orchestral guest, and faculty in California, Minnesota, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Salley has appeared in concert at the Musikverein in Vienna, Carnegie Hall, Town Hall, Central Park, Music from Salem, the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia, the National Cathedral and National Gallery in Washington D.C., Columbia Museum of Art, the Harris Theater in Chicago, the Nasher Series in Dallas, the Peoples Symphony Concerts, the Ojai, Tanglewood, Ravinia, Skaneateles, and Caramoor Festivals, and on tour alongside artists ranging from Bela Fleck to Dawn Upshaw to Gil Shaham. She soloed with the Lebanese Philharmonic Orchestra and recently returned a third time to Lebanon as artist in residence with the IMAGINE Workshop and Concert Series at the Lebanese American University in Beirut, Lebanon. She is regularly invited as a guest artist with groups such as the Minnesota Orchestra, Orchestra of St. Luke’s, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, East Coast Chamber Orchestra, the International Contemporary Ensemble, and the Knights.
Interested in Bringing the Dari Project to Your Institution?
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Contact dr. Salley Koo for more information
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