Suyeon Ko is the Instructor of Flute at Western Illinois University. Dr. Ko is also the founder and the Artistic Director of the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music Flute Academy, and is a founding member of Volante Winds. Originally from Jeju, South Korea, Dr. Ko received Doctor of Music degree in flute performance from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, Performer’s Diploma at Indiana University, 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.

With the Volante Winds, Dr. Ko has toured across the U.S. and East Asia. Formed in 2016, the quintet has been a featured ensemble at premiere chamber music festivals including 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. Other significant performances include our tour of the American Midwest in 2019, which included live performances, national public radio broadcasts, as well as masterclasses at Bradley University, University of Northern Iowa, and the University of Iowa. The quintet has been semifinalists at the Fischoff and Plowman Chamber Music Competitions in 2018 and 2017 respectively.

An active soloist, Dr. Ko has won top prizes from numerous competitions including: Myrna Brown Young Artist Competition, Matinee Musicale Scholarship Competition, and TMTA Young Artist Competition. Dr. Ko also has performed in a variety of solo, chamber, and large ensemble settings. She has given recitals in South Korea, Australia, and around the U.S including Alaska, Chicago, Colorado, California, Indiana, Missouri, New York, and Texas.As an active freelance musician, Dr. Ko has performed with South Bend Symphony Orchestra, Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra, Columbus Indiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Bloomington Symphony Orchestra, and Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Ko has been finalist and semi-finalist in auditions for Omaha Symphony Orchestra, Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra, New World Symphony Orchestra, South Bend Symphony Orchestra, Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra, Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, and South Dakota Symphony Orchestra.

Former teachers include Thomas Robertello, Kathryn Lukas, Mary Karen Clardy, and Dea-Sik Hur.