Hyeonseon Baek ’22 MM Awarded 2026 NYSCA Grant

Published on April 14, 2026

Hyeonseon Baek ’22 MM has been named a 2026 recipient of the Support for Artists Award from the New York State Council on the Arts.

Now based in New York City, Baek is a jazz vocalist, songwriter, and educator known for his expressive style and focus on storytelling and improvisation. Originally from Korea, he was inspired by artists such as Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway, and Carmen McRae, and later shaped by jazz vocalists Kurt Elling and Mel Tormé.

He completed his undergraduate studies in the Netherlands, earning the Holland National Excellence Scholarship and graduating a year early, before moving to the U.S. to study with Dominique Eade at NEC. There, he worked with artists including Jason Moran, Dave Holland, and Cécile McLorin Salvant.

Baek’s debut album Longing (2024), featuring Kevin Hays, Linda May Han Oh, Jochen Rueckert, and Lucas Pino, received a four-star review from All About Jazz and was named one of Jazz Weekly’s Top 10 Albums of the Year.

His additional honors include the Queens Arts Fund (2025) and recognition from the Ran Blake Foundation. Great work, Hyeonseon!



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