CONTACT

Hyemee Baik, (202) 587-6152, hmbaik@mofa.or.kr

Adam Wojciechowicz, (202) 587-6168, awoj@koreaembassy.org

Onstage Korea 2026

Award-Winning Jazz Vocalist

Maria Kim Live in Concert

Celebrating Korean Jazz and Cultural Exchange in Washington, D.C.

Tickets go on sale on Monday, July 27 at 12:00 PM (ET)!

WHAT: Onstage Korea 2026: Jazz Vocalist Maria Kim Live in Concert
WHO: Korean jazz pianist and vocalist Maria Kim with New York-based jazz musicians
WHEN: Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company (641 D Street NW, Washington, DC 20004)
MORE: Free admission with advance registration

The Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. (KCCDC) proudly presents Onstage Korea 2026: Jazz Vocalist Maria Kim Live in Concert on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, an acclaimed performing arts institution in Washington, D.C.

This performance is part of Onstage Korea, KCCDC’s signature performing arts series dedicated to discovering exceptional Korean and Korean-inspired artists and providing opportunities to share their creativity with American audiences. Through live performances in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, the series promotes cultural exchange by expanding the visibility of Korean performing arts and artists within the broader American arts community.

Since its launch, Onstage Korea has presented innovative Korean and Korean-inspired artists across diverse genres, from traditional Korean music and contemporary fusion performances to jazz and other forms of creative expression. Through collaborations with local cultural institutions, including Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, the program continues to strengthen cultural exchange, expand opportunities for Korean artists, and connect them with diverse audiences in the United States.

As part of the 2026 series, KCCDC presents Korean jazz pianist and vocalist Maria Kim, joined by accomplished New York-based jazz musicians. The concert aims to introduce the sophistication, creativity, and emotional depth of Korean jazz to audiences in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area while highlighting the unique artistic voices of Korean musicians active on the global stage.

Maria Kim, the featured artist of the concert, is a celebrated jazz pianist and vocalist known for her distinctive musical expression and elegant interpretations. After graduating from Berklee College of Music and the New England Conservatory, she has actively performed on major jazz stages in New York and throughout Asia.

Combining her artistry as a pianist with her captivating vocal style, Maria Kim has developed a unique musical identity that bridges jazz tradition with contemporary sensibilities. Her musicianship has been recognized through numerous awards, including the Best Jazz Vocal Album Award at the 2022 Korean Music Awards, the Jazz Audio Disc Award from Japan’s Jazz Critics Association, and the Jazz Artist Award at the 2023 Korean Entertainment Arts Awards.

For this special performance, Maria Kim will be joined by New York-based jazz musicians, including bassist Ben Wolstein, drummer Aaron Seeber, and saxophonists Asaf Yuria and Pureum Jin. Together, the artists will present a dynamic program showcasing the expressive possibilities of contemporary jazz.

The approximately 60-minute concert will feature beloved jazz standards including “Misty,” “Autumn Leaves,” “Blue Bossa,” “My Funny Valentine,” and “Fly Me to the Moon,” along with original compositions by Maria Kim. Through sophisticated arrangements and emotionally rich performances, the ensemble will present a musical journey that reflects both the universal language of jazz and the distinctive artistry of Korean musicians.

The performance is free with advance registration. Additional information regarding registration and event details will be available through the Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. website and social media channels.

Details available through the Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. website.

https://washingtondc.korean-culture.org/en

About OnStage Korea

Onstage Korea, presented by the Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C., is a performing arts series that introduces outstanding Korean and Korean-inspired artists from around the world to audiences in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

The program discovers talented artists and ensembles across diverse genres and provides opportunities to share their creativity through live performances. By offering exceptional performances free to the public, Onstage Korea promotes international cultural exchange, expands the presence of Korean performing arts in the United States, and fosters meaningful connections between Korean artists and local communities.

Featuring a new selection of artists each year, Onstage Korea continues to serve as a platform for innovative performances that showcase the diversity, creativity, and global influence of Korean culture.

About the Artists

Maria Kim I Jazz Vocalist & Pianist

Maria Kim, a world-class jazz musician, is an outstanding jazz pianist and vocalist who has captivated audiences around the globe with her free spirited artistry. Having won Best Jazz Vocal Album at the 2022 Korean Music Awards, received the Jazz Audio Disc Award selected by Japan's Jazz Hihyo (Jazz Critique) magazine, and earned the Jazz Artist Award at the 29th Korea Entertainment Arts Awards in 2023, Maria Kim has firmly established herself as one of Korea's leading jazz artists. With a recording contract from the U.S. based jazz label La Reserve, she released acclaimed studio albums such as Misty Blue and Love Letters, both of which reached No. 1 on jazz charts on platforms including Apple Music and Yes24. In this performance, Maria Kim will present a special collaboration with some of New York’s finest musicians: Ben Wolstein (bass), Aaron Seeber (drums), Asaf Yuria (saxophone), and Pureum Jin (saxophone).

Ben Wolstein I Bass

Ben Wolstein is a New York City–based jazz bassist whose expressive playing, deep sense of swing, and thoughtful musicianship have made him a sought-after collaborator on the city's vibrant jazz scene. Grounded in the tradition of the great bassists while bringing a fresh, modern voice to every performance, he is known for his warm tone, melodic improvisation, and intuitive accompaniment. Ben Wolstein has performed alongside acclaimed Johnny O'Neal, Samara Joy, Richard Cortez, collaborating with leading members of New York City's vibrant jazz community. His versatility allows him to move effortlessly between straight-ahead jazz, bebop, ballads, and contemporary styles, always providing a strong rhythmic foundation while contributing creatively to the music. Whether anchoring a trio, supporting vocalists, or performing in larger ensembles, Wolstein approaches every performance with sensitivity, musical integrity, and a deep commitment to communication through jazz. His growing presence in the New York jazz community reflects both his technical artistry and his dedication to the enduring tradition of improvised music.

Aaron Seebe I Drums

Aaron Seeber a drummer living in Queens, NY is making his name as an emerging Jazz drummer in New York City. Aaron attended SUNY Purchase, where he studied Jazz Drums under the tutelage of renowned instructors Kenny Washington and John Riley. As a performer, Seeber has had the incredible opportunity to share the stage with greats Eric Reed,  Johnny O'Neal, Eric Alexander, Pete Malinverni, Warren Wolf, Grant Stewart, Jeremy Pelt, Tim Green, Ugonna Okegwo, Bruce Harris, Gary Smulyan,  Mike Ledonne, Freddie Redd, Butch Warren, Chuck Redd, and many others. He has performed internationally with The Warren Wolf Trio and nationally with the grammy award winning group, The New York Voices. Seeber recently recorded his debut record "First Move" featuring Warren Wolf, Tim Green, Sullivan Fortner, and Ugonna Okegwo. It will be released May 13th, 2022 on Cellar Live Records. Aaron endorses Murat-Diril Cymbals and Canopus Drums

Asaf Yuria I Saxophone

Born in Tel Aviv, Israel in 1985, Yuria was raised on the recordings of John Coltrane, Charlie Parker and countless others. By high school, he’d advanced to play alongside some of the top musicians in the capital’s close-knit jazz scene. However, the bright lights of New York City were always an aspiration for the young Yuria. He eventually moved to the US to follow his dreams, spending thirteen successful years playing in jazz clubs, jam sessions and music festivals around the world. Yuria soon enrolled at the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in the late 2000’s where he came under the influence of close mentor Billy Harper, as well as George Cables, Reggie Workman, Billy Hart and Charles Tolliver. “The expression of study has to come out through the prism of my life experience and ideas,” he reflects. Yuria is bold with his goals, which shine through his highly intuitive charts steeped in detailed knowledge of great masters of the past.

Pureum Jin I Saxophone

 Pureum Jin is a South Korea-born, NYC-based award-winning saxophonist, arranger, and composer, establishing herself as one of the leading figures in the jazz world with her first studio album ‘The Real Blue’ released through Cellar Live in June 2019. Since its release, the album has been receiving rave reviews from prestige jazz magazines, such as a 4-star review from Downbeat on its September issue, being featured as one of the albums on Jazz at Lincoln Center blog’s June New Release Round-up, making a cover of Jazz People Magazine in Korea, etc. Pureum’s quickly establishing as a key figure in NYC jazz scene, as she quickly makes debuts on most notable jazz clubs in the city and getting rave reviews from prestige jazz magazines around the world, including Downbeat, New York City Jazz Magazine, Jazz People, MM Jazz, etc. She was selected as one of the finalists for the Made in New York jazz competition 2018, making on stage as one of the few selected finalists at The Tribeca Performing Arts Center with legends including Al Foster and John Lee for the competition’s awards ceremony. Pureum also has recently won ‘Best Alto Saxophone’, ‘Best Female Rising Star’, and ‘Jazz Artist of the Year’ categories of New York Readers Jazz Awards 2019 hosted by Hot House Jazz Magazine and JazzMobile. She was also selected as one of the nominees in Korean Music Awards 2020’s “The best Jazz/Crossover - The Best Performance” category.

Images (Full resolution available upon request)