Suyeon Ko, D.M., originally from Korea, currently holds the position of Assistant Professor of Flute at Western Illinois University and serves as the 2nd flute at the esteemed Des Moines Metro Opera Orchestra. Prior to her current appointments, Dr. Ko was the founder and Artistic Director of the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music Flute Academy and also co-founded Volante Winds, an acclaimed quintet that has toured extensively throughout the United States and East Asia.

Dr. Ko holds a Doctoral of Music degree in flute performance from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, as well as a Performer’s Diploma from the same institution. She also received a Master of Music degree in flute performance from the University of North Texas and a Bachelor of Music in flute performance from Jeju National University in South Korea.

As a member of Volante Winds, Dr. Ko has performed at prestigious chamber music festivals such as the American Chamber Music Festival, Chamber Music Wilmington, Jeju International Wind Ensemble Festival in South Korea, Juneau Jazz & Classical festival, and Mineral Point Chamber Music Festival. In 2019, the quintet embarked on a tour of the American Midwest, which included live performances, national public radio broadcasts, and masterclasses at Bradley University, the University of Northern Iowa, and the University of Iowa. Additionally, the quintet has been recognized as semifinalists at the Fischoff and Plowman Chamber Music Competitions in 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Dr. Ko is in high demand as a clinician and presenter and has been invited to present at various events, including the Hong Kong International Flute Festival, Indiana State University, Texas A&M in Commerce, and the Riverbend Flute Festival, among others.

A highly skilled soloist, Dr. Ko has won top prizes in several competitions, including the Myrna Brown Young Artist Competition, Matinee Musicale Scholarship Competition, and TMTA Young Artist Competition. She has performed extensively in solo, chamber, and large ensemble settings and has given recitals throughout the U.S., South Korea, and Australia.

In addition to her teaching and ensemble work, Dr. Ko is also an active freelance musician and has performed with several orchestras, including the Quad City Symphony Orchestra, South Bend Symphony Orchestra, Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra, Columbus Indiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Bloomington Symphony Orchestra, and Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Ko can also be heard on recordings of Jim Stephenson’s recent compositions “As the Fireflies Watched” and “Octet.”