Ahn Hee-Jin
Arirang Master - No: 25001103
Ahn Hee-Jin is a master singer (Myeonggang) and a leading figure in the preservation of Gyeonggi-sori and regional folk traditions of Anyang, Korea. With over 50 years of dedication to traditional music, she has played a pivotal role in safeguarding and revitalising local sound heritage.
She serves as Director of the Institute for Korean Traditional Music in Anyang. She is the founder of the Anyang Sound Preservation Society, leading community-based initiatives that document and revive local musical traditions.
Qualifications
Skill and Mastery:
Ahn is an expert in Gyeonggi-sori and the 12 Jabga repertoire, with specialisation in quarry work songs, jang-taryeong, and dalgo-sori. Her performances embody both technical excellence and cultural authenticity.
Creativity and Innovation:
She created the performance series A Journey through the Sounds of Anyang, blending oral history, music, and dance, and successfully integrating local heritage into contemporary stage production.
Education and Mentorship:
Through her institute, she provides formal education and mentorship, nurturing young performers and promoting intergenerational transmission of traditional music.
Accolades and Achievements
Ahn has received major honours, including the Anyang Citizens’ Grand Prize and the Gyeonggi Arts Award, recognising her lifelong contribution to safeguarding Korea’s regional musical heritage.
Relevant Short Videos
A Journey through the Sounds of Anyang (4th Annual Performance) – Quarry work songs and women’s chants (5 min)
Lecture-Performance at Anyang Forum (2024) – “Understanding Anyang’s Local Cultural Heritage” (5 min)