Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Korean-American violinist, Mina Hong had a particular musical upbringing. Her mother being a professional oboist and great-uncle Eui-Myung/Joseph Kim, a distinguished violinist, Mina’s love for music blossomed early in her life. It was not until her early teen years that she wanted to pursue a professional career as a violinist. She attended the Colburn School of Performing Arts during her pre-college career, where she studied with Danielle Belen. Mina continued her studies and holds the Bachelor of Music from the University of Southern California, under the instruction of Margaret Batjer, where she was awarded the Robert Ellis Simon Memorial Endowed Music Scholarship. She completed her Master of Music degree as a recipient of the Charles Walgreen Graduate Fellowship, at the University of Michigan, under the tutelage of David Halen.

Mina served as concertmaster of the National Repertory Orchestra in the 2018 and 2019 seasons where she worked with conductors: Carl Topilow, Michael Stern, Carl St. Clair, Marcelo Lehninger, JoAnn Falletta, Karina Canellakis, and more. She made her solo debut with the National Repertory Orchestra in 2018 performing the Barber Violin Concerto and made a second appearance in 2019, performing the Korngold Violin Concerto. Recent engagements include collaborations with the Los Angeles Opera, MUSE/IQUE, Wild Up, the Hamburg Ballet, IRIS Symphony, Andrea Bocelli, T-Pain, Elizabeth Hainen, Connor Bogart O’Brien, and James Ehnes. She has worked with composers such as: Michael Daugherty, in works including his Metropolis Symphony; Jules Pegram, in his premier of his Opera, Higher Ground; and Carla Lucero, in her premier of Juana. Mina has performed with the New World Symphony and at festivals such as the Aspen Music Festival and School, Great Mountains International Music Festival, and Innsbrook Music Festival. While devoting her time to these ensembles and festivals, Mina has gathered a plethora of experience and her adoration for collaboration and music has grown immensely. 

Mina currently resides in her home city of Los Angeles, where she looks forward to teaching young artists, collaborating with musicians and composers from all around the world, and furthering her passion for performing and sharing the wonderous language of classical music.

Mina Hong plays on a Ferdinandus Gagliano Filius / Nicolai, fecit Neap. 1785 Italian violin.