2022–23 University Professor

In-Hong Cha

In-Hong Cha, D.M.A., professor of music, is an outstanding teacher and world-renowned musician and conductor who has brought national and international attention to Wright State University and its music program. Cha received the 2022–23 University Professor Award.

“His unwavering commitment to his profession is a living embodiment of Wright State’s mission to be an accessible institution and to inspire individuals of all ability statuses to pursue excellence,” said Gary Schmidt, Ph.D., dean of the College of Liberal Arts.

Considered a violinist of delicate and refined musicality, Cha has performed at the United Nations and with at least 18 different ensembles, making more than 300 appearances in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia and Latin America.

At Wright State, he teaches applied violin and chamber music and serves as coordinator of strings, director of orchestral studies, and music director and conductor of the University Symphony Orchestra. He is also the concertmaster of the Wright State Chamber Orchestra and leads the Faculty String Quartet.

In addition, he has led master classes for schools, universities and orchestras in Ohio, California and Korea.

Daniel Zehringer, D.M.A., chair of the School of Fine and Performing Arts, describes Cha as a great artist, teacher, leader and human being who is admired by students and faculty alike.

“In-Hong is a very well-respected, genial, courteous and cheerful colleague,” Zehringer said.

As a person of international stature and fame, Zehringer said, “Dr. Cha’s accomplishments and awards are unmatched at Wright State University.”

In the last two years alone, Cha conducted South Korea’s 20th Presidential Inauguration Ceremony and the Ecuador National Symphony Orchestra during a concert marking the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Ecuador; was honored with the highest award for a classical musician at the Korean Music Awards; and won the Grand Award: President’s Award at the Korea Disabled Culture and Art Awards ceremony.

In November, Cha will serve as a guest conductor for a celebration concert for the 70 years of the United States-South Korea Alliance at the Blue House, the residence of the president of the Republic of Korea. Cha will conduct the Korea National Symphony Orchestra, the Korean National Military Symphony Orchestra and the Eighth United States Army Band in Korea.

He received a Korean Presidential Award as the most distinguished Korean living in a foreign country in 2007. He was nominated for a Latin Grammy Award in 2017, and, with the Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela, won the Best Classical Album of the Year and the Best Classical Artist of the Year award at the 2018 Pepsi Music Awards in Venezuela.

Cha has released five albums and published two autobiographies in Korea, “Beautiful Man and Beautiful Success” and “Wheelchair is My Wing.”

Cha earned his Doctor of Music Arts in Orchestral Conducting from the University of South Carolina, his master’s degree in violin performance from Brooklyn College, City University of New York, and an artist diploma in string from the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati.