Where Music Becomes Confidence, Creativity, and Connection

More than lessons — we offer mentorship, performance, and a place to grow.

Join a community where music transforms lives.

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At Sonare Music Academy, everyone belongs in the music.

We offer inspiring lessons, masterclasses, teacher coaching, concerts, and scholarships that help musicians of all ages grow in skill and confidence. Whether you’re a beginner, an advanced student, or returning to your passion, Sonare connects you to a community where music transforms lives.

About Sonare Music Academy

Where artistry meets access.

Founded by concert pianist and educator Dr. Hwa-Jin Kim, Sonare Music Academy is dedicated to inspiring musicians of all ages through world-class instruction, free masterclasses, and community-driven learning. With programs offered both in Asheville, NC and online, we make high-quality music education available to all — supported by scholarships, performance opportunities, and a spirit of lifelong growth.

Learn More About Us

Inspiring Musicians
Building Community

  • Private & Group Music Lessons

  • Music Theory & History

  • Composition

  • Masterclasses

  • Pedagogy & Teaching Coaching

  • Recitals

  • In-Person & Online Options

See Our Classes & Programs

Inspire

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Educate

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Empower

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Connect

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Inspire • Educate • Empower • Connect •

What Makes Us Different?

Excellence in Education

Our teaching is grounded in the highest standards of classical music training — led by experienced, award-winning educators who nurture both technical skill and personal growth.

Access Through Scholarships

We believe great music education should never depend on a student’s income. Our donor-supported scholarships ensure that all learners have the opportunity to thrive.

Support for Students and Teachers

We serve more than just students — we mentor educators too. Through coaching, pedagogy workshops, and professional development, we empower the next generation of music teachers.

In-Person & Global Online Learning

Based in Asheville, NC — but reaching the world. Whether local or abroad, students and teachers can access expert instruction and community through flexible online options.

Community Through Performance

From recitals to free monthly masterclasses, Sonare creates space for connection, confidence, and joy — because music is meant to be shared.

Welcome to Sonare Table:
Music for the Soul,
Food for the Heart.

Featured
Beethoven and Bread: Timeless Nourishment for the Soul
Beethoven and Bread: Timeless Nourishment for the Soul
Harmonious Flavors: The Symphony Between Classical Piano and Culinary Art
Harmonious Flavors: The Symphony Between Classical Piano and Culinary Art
Chopin and the Taste of Courage
Chopin and the Taste of Courage
Read the Blog

Upcoming Events

Featured
An Afternoon of Classical Music: From Beethoven to Chopin: A Journey from Classicism to Romanticism
Nov 8
An Afternoon of Classical Music: From Beethoven to Chopin: A Journey from Classicism to Romanticism
Beethoven 32 Bicentennial Celebration Kick-Off
Apr 19
Beethoven 32 Bicentennial Celebration Kick-Off
See All Upcoming Events

Client Praise

  • “Thank you for providing that sense of home, Dr. Kim. I have enjoyed this semester in your class. it has helped me grow as a person, and you always gave me a sense of hope that there are better days to come. Thank you Dr. Kim for your patience, your caring and your passion for music and your students. UNCA is beyond lucky to have you as a professor and I will never forget our Class Piano.”

    — UNC Asheville Student

  • "I thank her deeply for the ways Dr. Kim has helped me to fall in love with piano, it will stay with me for the rest of my life. She has given me a home and a place to find peace and joy wherever I can find a piano to sit at. Thank you for pushing us to become more mature human beings and for cheering for us along the way. It has been a joy and an honor."

    — UNC Asheville Student

  • “It has been an honor to work with Dr. Kim these last two semesters learning piano. The way that she teaches is a marvelous thing to experience. It has been a joy to be present with her joy and focus and dedication in helping people fall in love with and learn to play piano. I have felt inspired from the first day to become the best piano player I can, not for someone else's expectation, but for the love and joy and growth that can come from relationship to piano, to music, and to self through dedication to the art and science and language and history of it."

    — UNC Asheville Student

  • "Dr. Kim brings a style and grace and levity in her invitation to be challenged that I have never experienced from a teacher before. I thank her deeply for the ways Dr. Kim has helped me to fall in love with piano, it will stay with me for the rest of my life. She has given me a home and a place to find peace and joy wherever I can find a piano to sit at. Thank you for pushing us to become more mature human beings and for cheering for us along the way. It has been a joy and an honor.”

    — UNC Asheville Student

  • “Thank you for providing that sense of home, Dr. Kim. I have enjoyed this semester in your class. it has helped me grow as a person, and you always gave me a sense of hope that there are better days to come. Thank you Dr. Kim for your patience, your caring and your passion for music and your students. UNCA is beyond lucky to have you as a professor and I will never forget our Class Piano.”

    — UNC Asheville Student

  • “Dr. Kim offered support in earnest with great frequency, offered in class and emailed reminders, and was attentive to each individual in the class to provide support, feedback and check progress. She was very responsive to questions in class and email. She gave space for learning and growing in every direction, from the history of piano to current events, from technique to emotional intelligence inside of music. Her insistence on connection to the musicality while inside of the challenge of learning has had a tremendous impact on my approach to all of music and life. Dr. Kim is probably the best teacher I’ve ever had.”

    — UNC Asheville Student

  • “Dr Kim did an amazing job. UNCA is beyond fortunate to have her as a professor. It is the way that Dr. Kim is able to weave it all together that makes her such an amazing teacher. Focused, dedicated, supportive, challenging, nurturing, inspiring, and incredibly knowledgeable, she helped me to grow in music and as a person.”

    — UNC Asheville Student

  • “I found the discipline and consistency needed to do well in the course were really good not just for the course but to do well in other things too.” “Dr. Kim was there every step of the way. She was always early to class to help students improve the pieces they were workin on, she would quickly respond to emails with questions about assignments and would take the time to individually check in on each student and make their progress.”

    — UNC Asheville Student

  • “Dr. Kim was always non-judgmental, supportive, and was always easy to reach out to”, “Dr. Kim is one of the most engaging professors I’ve had. She actively made sure I was doing well in the subjects in class and assisted me whenever I had difficulty understanding something.”

    — UNC Asheville Student

  • “Dr. Kim has such a warm, kind presence that always made me feel happy to be in class. She explains everything very clearly and has always been willing to help, and I can tell she genuinely cares that we understand what's happening so that we can all be better pianists. I can't wait to take Class Piano II next time it's available.”

    — UNC Asheville Student

  • “Despite the fact that I've been struggling in general lately, she never once gave me any indication that she was frustrated with me, she was always willing to send me Zoom recordings if I couldn't get it to work, and to give extensions on deadlines if people were struggling to get something in on–time. Also, there are not words to describe how helpful this class was to my understanding of music theory. Topics in piano and theory would overlap sometimes, so knowing how a certain idea functions on a piano is probably the most helpful thing anyone could give me to help understand theory better. Plus, I feel like I've improved decently from what I was able to play at the beginning of the semester.”

    — UNC Asheville Student

  • “Professor Kim was really good at helping students in a personal way throughout the course. For example, I had difficulty with the music theory aspects of the course while some other students struggled with other areas and Professor Kim was really good at recognizing the issues each student was having and helping them individually work/study/address the areas that they needed to most.”

    — UNC Asheville Student

  • “Professor Kim did a great job during class lessons to always check in with students periodically throughout the periods. She would consistently make sure that everyone was understanding the topics being covered and make sure to check in with every student individually during certain topics to ensure for better understanding of the lesson. She also made herself very aware of everyone's past understanding and knowledge of piano terms and skill level.”

    — UNC Asheville Student

  • "Two months ago, I knew nothing of this program. Tonight, I am an avowed advocate! It's the best! The piano camp exceeded all expectations and turned out to be a resounding success!"

    — From Adult Piano Camp