WeMA provides high-quality, accessible music instruction through lessons, classes, and small ensembles, nurturing musical excellence, supporting artistic growth, and fostering meaningful connection through shared musical experiences.
"Music is the universal language that connects people of all ages, backgrounds, and interests. The Westmont Music Department is proud to offer exceptional music instruction led by our dedicated, world-class faculty. We believe that music enriches the lives of all who are involved and this program will be a blessing. Through WeMA, we look forward to building closer ties and deepening our relationship with the wider Santa Barbara community." -Dr. Ruth Lin
Location: 955 La Paz rd., Santa Barbara, CA 93108
Contact: wema@westmont.edu
Call us: 805-565-6040
Our Story
WeMA was born from a simple belief: music has the power to transform lives and bring people together. Inspired by a desire to cultivate a vibrant musical community in Santa Barbara, WeMA was created to be a welcoming place where students of all ages can learn, grow, and belong. We believe that music education is about more than learning notes and rhythms—it is about discovering beauty, developing character, finding one's voice, and becoming part of something greater than oneself.
Located at Westmont College, WeMA provides high-quality music education through lessons, classes, chamber music, and performance opportunities. Our goal is to make meaningful musical experiences accessible to students and families while fostering artistic excellence, personal growth, and lasting connections. We hope to bring together students, families, teachers, college musicians, and local artists through shared musical experiences that enrich both individual lives and our broader community.
Whether you are just beginning your musical journey or continuing years of study, we invite you to join us as we build a vibrant and supportive musical community together.
Piano Lessons
At the WeMA Piano Program, students can choose from private lessons, group classes, or a combination of both, creating a learning experience that fits their goals and stage of development. Along the way, they build strong piano skills while engaging in music theory, ear training. For students seeking a more advanced path, WeMA offers high-quality instruction and individualized guidance to help them reach their full potential. Advanced students may pursue goals such as Certificate of Merit, competitions, auditions, and other performance opportunities, while developing the technical mastery, artistic expression, and confidence needed for continued musical success.
Chamber Music
At its heart, chamber music is a musical conversation that unfolds in real time. Unlike large ensembles, where a conductor leads the group, chamber musicians listen closely to one another, communicate through their instruments, and shape the music together. Through this process, students learn to collaborate, respond, and express artistic ideas with both confidence and sensitivity. Chamber music is one of the most rewarding forms of music-making, fostering musicianship, friendship, and a deeper appreciation for the joy of creating something beautiful together.
Performance Opportunities
Music comes alive when it is shared. At WeMA, performance is an important part of the learning experience. Students are encouraged to share their musical growth through a variety of performance opportunities throughout the year, including student recitals, chamber music concerts, and special events. With access to beautiful venues such as Deane Chapel and Porter Theatre at Westmont College, students gain valuable experience performing in inspiring settings while building confidence, artistry, and a love for sharing music with others.
Meet the Teachers
Han Kim, Violin/Viola
Kim "gave the audience a rich sampling of his versatility. Kim has an expressive temperament: his playing is irresistibly dynamic and colorful. The [program] revealed Kim's sure ear, clean articulation, and maturity of interpretation." CASA Magazine
Violinist Han Soo Kim has performed to critical acclaim in numerous countries on four continents. He has been praised by many audiences around the world for his passion, sensitivity and charisma. His playing is described as a "musical gift of rare beauty" The Korea Times. He performs a diverse mix of musical styles ranging from the standard works to avant-garde contemporary repertoire.
Dr. Kim has concertized extensively as solo performer, duo-recitalist and chamber musician. In the United States, he has performed in some of the nation’s most prominent venues including Alice Tully Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, Boston Symphony Hall, Weill Recital Hall and Isaac Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall, Cutler Majestic Theater, Jordan Hall, Kaufmann Concert Hall, and The Kennedy Center. Performances have also led him to institutions and festivals including Académie Internationale de Courchevel, Boston Conservatory, Columbia University, Le Domaine Forget International Music Festival, The Juilliard School, Longy School of Music, Manhattan School of Music, Mannes College, Meadowmount School of Music, Morningside Music Bridge, Musicorda, New England Conservatory, and Stony Brook University. He has appeared as soloist with orchestras in the US and abroad performing standard concertos to contemporary world premieres. As a Promessa Records Artist he has released Encore Favori, a solo CD featuring a dozen encores and virtuosic showpieces. He will be recording his next album with Spice Classics in 2026.
His passion for sharing musical knowledge and experience to young musicians has taken him to many different parts of the world. As an avid educator, he has given lectures, workshops and masterclasses nationally and internationally on technique, innovative practice methods and performance. He devotes a considerable amount of time to traveling for clinics as well as maintaining an internationally active recording and performance schedule. He has served as Chair of Adjudicators of New York International Music Competition and string adjudicator of Santa Barbara Music Club Scholarship Awards. At Westmont College, he is Head of Strings and teaches alongside his wife, Joanne Kim, a clarinetist. He is Founder and Director of Westmont Academy for Young Artists and is a teaching artist at InterHarmony International Music Festival in Italy.
Dr. Kim has earned his Doctor of Musical Arts in violin performance under a fellowship grant. His Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in violin performance are from The Juilliard School where he was a merit scholarship recipient. His influential teachers and mentors include Roman Totenberg, Sally Thomas and Pamela Frank. He has worked with distinguished chamber music artists including Emerson, Guarneri, Juilliard, and Orion String Quartets.
Joanne Kim, Clarinet and Director
Clarinetist Joanne Kim has appeared as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral performer in renowned venues including Carnegie Hall, David Geffen Hall, Roy Thomson Hall, Granada Theatre, Dolby Theatre, and Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Her performing career began in her late teens when she was awarded the distinguished Stamas Scholarship Fund from the New York Philharmonic, which provided her with a professional clarinet to support her studies and performances in New York City.
Dr. Kim has performed with ensembles including the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Korean Chamber Orchestra, New Jersey Philharmonic Orchestra, Pacific Symphony, Pasadena Symphony, Santa Barbara Symphony, and Los Angeles Ballet.
She earned her Doctor of Musical Arts in Clarinet Performance from the Manhattan School of Music as a fellowship recipient under the tutelage of Mark Nuccio. She also holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Mannes College and a Master of Music degree, with merit scholarship, from the Orchestral Performance Program at the Manhattan School of Music.
Dr. Kim is Director of Westmont Academy for Young Artists, a pre-college program within the Westmont College Music Department. She also serves on the clarinet faculty at Westmont College and Santa Barbara City College.
She frequently performs with her husband, violinist Dr. Han Soo Kim. In 2026, they will be featured on the Spice Classics album Romances alongside pianist Constantine Finehouse. Recorded in Hahn Hall at the Music Academy of the West, the album features works by Robert Schumann, Clara Schumann, and Marie Elisabeth von Sachsen-Meiningen.
Hyo Jin Lee, Piano
Pianist Hyo Jin Lee pursued her music education in the United States starting in high school, studying with the world-renowned pedagogue Wha Kyung Byun and Russell Sherman, and continued to train at New England Conservatory of Music. Dr. Lee completed both her Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, and Graduate Diploma at the Conservatory with academic honors. She was also a recipient of the prestigious Adele Bramson Ganick Endowed Scholarship for demonstrating excellence in piano performance. She then went on to complete Doctorate of Musical Arts in Piano Performance, at State University of New York, Stony Brook, with Gilbert Kalish.
Starting her professional debut at age 13 with Seoul Sinfonietta, Pianist Hyo Jin Lee has performed widely to critical acclaim throughout the United States, France, Australia and Korea. She performed as a soloist with the W Philharmonic, Korean Symphony, Gangnam Symphony, Korea Senior Symphony, Cheongju City Philharmonic Orchestra and Los Angeles Doctors Symphony.
In addition, Dr. Lee gave her recitals at Auditorium Gilles de la Rocque, Sydney Steinway Hall, Harvard Sanders Theater, Jordan Hall, South Hampton Cultural Center, Staller Center, Seoul Arts Center, Kumho Art Hall, Sejong Cultural Center. And she has worked with musicians such as Emerson Quartet, Colin Carr, Nicholas Cords, Lawrence Lesser, and Miriam Fried, to name a few.
Dr. Lee is currently a collaborative pianist at Westmont College and has a wide range of teaching experience at institutions such as Seoul National University, Korea National University of Arts, Yewon school, Seoul arts high school and Music Academy at Seoul Arts Center.
Lydia Plaut, Violin/Viola, Suzuki
Lydia Plaut is an experienced and passionate violin and viola teacher. She is committed to helping students of all ages and backgrounds find joy, confidence, and community through music. She was a faculty member at The Music Settlement in Cleveland, OH, and at the Cuyahoga Community College Creative Arts Academy. She also taught for several years at the New England Conservatory Preparatory School. She is a registered teacher with the Suzuki Association of the Americas in all violin units and select viola units.
An avid performer, Lydia was a violist with the Canton Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra. She has also performed with Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra and the Akron Symphony Orchestra, and as a fellow at the Aspen Music Festival, Festival Napa Valley, and Madeline Island Chamber Music. In 2026, she won first place in the Performing Arts Scholarship Foundation Adult Instrumental division.
Lydia began her musical studies as a Suzuki violin student in Pasadena, California. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Viola Performance with a concentration in Music-in-Education from the New England Conservatory and holds Master’s degrees in Viola Performance and Violin Suzuki Pedagogy from the Cleveland Institute of Music. Her former teachers include Jeffrey Irvine, Mai Motobuchi, and Gina Coletti.
Strings: Han Kim, Emily Sommermann, Lydia Plaut, Elizabeth Callahan & Chenoa Orme-Stone Winds: Joanne Kim, Laura Walter & Andrea Di Maggio Piano: Hyo Jin Lee & Tammy Dugan Musicianship: Laura Walter, Emily Sommermann & Ruth Lin
String Programs
Beginning Strings
Ages 4-6
Our Beginning Strings program (ages 4–6) is thoughtfully designed for young children who are just starting their musical journey. At this age, we believe children learn best when they feel encouraged by their peers while also receiving personal attention from their teacher.
Each class begins together in a warm, engaging group setting where students explore music through singing, movement, rhythm activities, listening exercises, musical games, and imitation-based learning. During this time, students are introduced to important foundational skills such as posture, instrument setup, and bow hold in a fun and age-appropriate way. These shared activities help build confidence, focus, coordination, and excitement for music while creating a strong sense of community among students.
After the first 15–20 minutes together, students break into small group lessons with a teacher ratio of approximately 2–4 students per instructor. In these smaller groups, teachers are able to provide individualized guidance and technical correction while continuing to reinforce healthy playing habits and musical understanding.
Our hybrid class structure is intentional. Private lessons alone can sometimes feel overwhelming or isolating for very young beginners, while large group classes may not provide enough individualized support. By combining both approaches, students benefit from consistent foundational instruction, meaningful peer interaction, and personalized teaching that supports healthy technique, steady progress, and a lifelong love of music from the very beginning.
String Foundations
Ages 7-9
Our String foundations program (ages 7–9) is designed for students who are ready to build upon their foundational skills while growing in musical independence and confidence. At this age, students benefit tremendously from learning alongside peers, where healthy encouragement, teamwork, and shared progress help keep motivation high and learning enjoyable.
Classes focus on developing beautiful tone production, rhythm literacy, note reading, scales, ear training, and beginning ensemble skills. Students learn not only how to play with greater control and consistency, but also how to listen carefully, follow musical direction, and collaborate with others.
Each class is typically 60–90 minutes and begins with a 20–30 minute shared technique class where students work together on posture, tone, rhythm, scales, listening skills, and foundational ensemble concepts. Students then transition into breakout sectionals or private/small-group instruction, allowing teachers to provide individualized feedback and targeted support based on each student’s level and needs. Classes also include occasional ensemble reading opportunities so students can begin experiencing the excitement and responsibility of playing together as a group.
This age is especially ideal for partner learning, healthy peer motivation, and the development of beginning chamber music skills. Our hybrid structure continues to provide the balance of individualized instruction and collaborative learning that helps students grow steadily while developing confidence, discipline, and a lifelong love for music.
Youth Strings
Ages 10-13
Our Intermediate Strings division is designed for students who are ready to deepen their technical skills, musical expression, and ensemble awareness in a supportive and inspiring environment. At this stage, students begin developing greater independence on their instrument while continuing to benefit from strong mentorship, peer motivation, and collaborative music-making.
Instruction focuses on shifting, vibrato, scales and arpeggios, ensemble skills, musical phrasing, and audition preparation. As students grow technically and artistically, they are encouraged to listen more carefully, refine their tone, and develop confidence both as soloists and ensemble musicians.
Classes continue with our hybrid instructional model, where students begin together in a shared technique and musicianship class before transitioning into breakout sectionals, chamber groups, or individualized instruction. This structure allows students to learn within a cohesive musical community while still receiving personalized guidance tailored to their development.
At this level, many students also benefit from expanded musical opportunities such as chamber music, orchestra participation, masterclasses, and more focused private instruction. Our goal is to help students build not only technical strength, but also artistry, discipline, collaboration, and a lifelong connection to music.
WeMA Strings
Advanced/Pre-Conservatory Ages 14+
Our Advanced Strings / Pre-Conservatory division is designed for dedicated students seeking a high level of artistic and technical development within a nurturing and ambitious musical environment. Students at this stage are challenged to grow as thoughtful musicians, expressive performers, and confident young artists.
Instruction focuses on advanced technique, solo repertoire, orchestral excerpts, chamber music, audition and competition preparation, and overall artistic development. Students are guided toward greater musical maturity through detailed technical work, stylistic understanding, and deeper interpretive skills.
Advanced students continue to benefit from both individualized instruction and collaborative learning experiences. The program may include studio classes, mock auditions, chamber coaching, performance seminars, masterclasses, and mentorship opportunities that prepare students for youth symphonies, conservatory pathways, summer festivals, competitions, and collegiate-level music study.
One of the defining features of our program is the balance between rigorous training and meaningful community. Students are part of a unified musical culture where shared fundamentals, ensemble values, and mentorship create both consistency and connection across the department. Older students are also encouraged to serve as leaders and role models within the program, helping cultivate a supportive and inspiring environment for younger musicians.
Our goal is not only to prepare students for advanced musical opportunities, but to help them develop confidence, artistry, discipline, and a lasting love for music-making at the highest level they wish to pursue.