About A4
At A4 Collective, we are dedicated to providing a space for classical musicians to present their work, and to make classical music more accessible through donation-based public concerts. The reality for most musicians is that they must “pay-to-play,” which greatly limits performance opportunities to those who can perform for nothing or afford to pay for a venue. A4 Collective strives to provide an alternative by hosting musicians and compensating them directly for their years of dedication to their craft.
Since our founding in 2022 we have hosted over 30 events ranging from concerts for the public to sight-reading jam sessions for musicians to broaden their network. In spring of 2023, we co-hosted a New Music Symposium with The Music Room where we created a space for composers to hear their compositions performed live and workshopped by professional musicians. In our ongoing work, we also provide our space at an affordable rate for other organizations such as the Brooklyn Classical Guitar Society and the Brooklyn Accordion Club.
The name of our project, A4, comes from the note A above middle C on the piano. When musicians play together, A4 is matched on all instruments so everyone is in tune with each other. Being in tune requires one’s attention and ability to listen to others, which resonates with our mission to open discussions between the music, the performers and the audience. Recognizing the value of building communities, we strive to be a space beyond the pendulum of work and home, where people can meet, exchange ideas and grow through the context of music. Driven by the belief that music is meant to be shared, we welcome you.
Please consider donating to our project so that our community of classical musicians can continue to grow. A4 Collective is fiscally sponsored by the Groupmuse Foundation, a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, so all contributions are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.
Jae Kyo Han has dedicated his life to pianos through his work as an instructor (Steinway Educational Partner), performer, piano tuner/technician and apprentice rebuilder. Introduced to the piano at the age of four, Han began to compete early on, regularly receiving top prizes in statewide and regional competitions. He was a finalist in the 14th Chiang Wen-Yeh International Young Artist Piano Competition, and as a winner of the American Fine Arts Festival, Han was invited to perform at Weill Recital Hall in Carnegie Hall.
Curious by nature, Han is motivated to understand his instrument beyond the realm of performance. Following his graduate studies in classical piano at Mannes School of Music and Manhattan School of Music, Han apprenticed as a tuner/technician discovering the piano anew from the inside out. After years of training he began maintaining pianos for fellow professional pianists, esteemed recording studios and performance halls. In 2019 Han met Jimmy Greenfield, the founder of Soapbox Gallery, a multimedia performance space in Brooklyn, and soon became the resident piano technician. Constantly exploring new aspects of piano technology, Han also works as an assistant to pianist James Carney at his rebuilding workshop in Brooklyn. Their recent projects have included pianos produced by Steinway & Sons, Bösendorfer, Grotrian, Mason & Hamlin, Yamaha and other high-end manufacturers.
Han also ran a music school that served hundreds of students in New York City from 2017-2021. During his time as the school’s director, Han gained invaluable experience overseeing thousands of lessons and fostering a committed team of professional instructors. Inspired by the mission of Soapbox Gallery, Han gradually redirected the focus of his work back towards performance and founded A4 Collective in 2022. A4 is the culmination of Han’s various interactions with the piano, utilizing his insights as a performer, administrator and a technician.