Chaerin Im and the artists she works with – NIA x Chaerin Im, lees hun bio’s →
English – Bio’s in het Nederlands
Chaerin Im – pianist I composer, based in Amsterdam & Seoul
“A defining voice in the new wave of European jazz.”
Chaerin Im’s musical identity is forged in the friction between two worlds. Her journey began in the high-pressure, rigid classical piano scene of Seoul, defined by a hunger for mastery and rapid adaptation. This foundation met its contrast in the Netherlands, where the academic rigor of Amsterdam provided a base, but the social grit of Rotterdam provided the soul.
As the 2026 Artist in Focus, Chaerin explores the “in-between” state. A nomadic artistic existence that refuses to be categorized. This trajectory marks a significant sound shift: a transition from the traditional jazz piano roots toward an electronic, synth-heavy landscape. For Chaerin, Rotterdam is the perfect laboratory for this research; it is a city that feels raw, industrial, and unrefined, yet remains socially open and deeply connected through its large Asian community.
Chaerin Im is the Artist in Focus for North Sea Round Town 2026. From 25 June to 12 July 2026, she will tour Rotterdam with her main project Phase Shift – A Sonic Collision of Seoul and Rotterdam, and a series of special performances in collaboration with various musicians and artists. View all of Chaerin Im’s concerts during North Sea Round Town here. Chaerin Im will develop and perform a total of nine concerts as part of this artistic trajectory.
Explore the full concert series here →
Bio – Chaerin Im
Chaerin Im (b. 1999) is an unbounded and pioneering pianist and composer based in Amsterdam (NL). Her untamed electronic jazz blends influences from Floating Points, Dorian Concept, Salami Rose Joe Louis, and Sam Gendel. Chaerin explores in her compositions how digital processing can live alongside acoustic instruments without losing the energy of a live band. She is releasing a debut EP Olsen with her other project Neon River, and has performed with Jasper Høiby, Jamie Peet, and Reinier Baas at venues and festivals such as Bimhuis, November Music, North Sea Jazz Festival, and Paradiso.
Growing from her foundational roles in acoustic projects like the Sun-Mi Hong Quintet , Chaerin has firmly established herself as a forward thinking bandleader in 2024 and 2025. Her 2025 debut album Midnight Resets (Dox Records) completely abandons traditional jazz expectations. Instead, it crashes shimmering synthesizers and Korean indie into complex rhythmic structures. She continues this experimental streak with her late 2025 EP aïe aïe, featuring Otis Sandsjö, which leans more towards her envisioned hybrid sound.
The Dutch and European industry is paying close attention to this hybrid sound. Chaerin won First Prize at the Keep An Eye International Jazz Award and was named the 2024 Young Artist of the Year by NRC. Her unique sound also secured her a 2025 Edison Jazz Award nomination as a newcomer. Honed at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam , her music delivers a wide screen majesty where melodies constantly transform and evolve. She is the Artist in Focus for North Sea Round Town 2026, during which she will present new concerts and collaborations. Read more about Chaerin Im and the Artist in Focus program here.
credits by the artist
Bio – Nia
Nia is a cellist, vocalist, and composer, based in the Netherlands, whose sound blends classical, jazz, RnB and electronic influences. A classically trained musician with roots in Sofia, Bulgaria, she began playing cello at age 5 and after living all across Europe, Latin America and the Middle East, she has garnered a wide spectrum of musical styles and genres that led her to pursue her own music.
After winning several international competitions as a young cellist in countries like the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, and Spain, Nia began exploring jazz and soul music, seeking a broader artistic language. During her studies at the Conservatory of Amsterdam, she started blending her classical cello technique with improvisation and contemporary production. Her versatility has led her to perform with a wide range of artists across genres. She has played cello for Dutch pop and hip-hop acts such as Sor, Y.M.P., Sophie Straat, Akwasi, Jonna Fraser, Mula B, and Cho—appearing on major stages like Down the Rabbit Hole, ESNS, Paradiso, Melkweg, Concertgebouw, Ziggo Dome and AFAS Live. Internationally, she has performed with Emily Sandé, Kygo, pianist Bill Laurance and Nigerian superstar Burna Boy with guest Snoh Aalegra at London’s O2 Arena and Antwerp’s Sportpaleis.
In the jazz scene, Nia has contributed cello and string arrangements for projects like Brintex Collective and Peter Somuah. As a solo artist, she released her debut EP Freefall in April 2024, showcasing her talents as a singer, cellist, arranger, and co-producer (in collaboration with Anton de Bruin). She is currently working on her debut album, in addition of exploring ambience and electronics, to expand the expressive range of the cello.