For over two decades, BRQ Music (formerly Baroque Music) has been a cornerstone of the musical community in Thornhill and the Greater Toronto Area. Established in 2003 it was the first Korean-owned musical instrument retailer in its region. Since then, it has evolved into a center for music education, offering lessons to students of all ages and skill levels.

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Founders Alex Kim and Lisa Min immigrated from Seoul, carrying with them a rich background in music and years of experience. Alex helped manage his family’s musical instrument shop in Seoul’s Shin Shin Department Store, a business founded by his father - a classically trained cellist who studied in North Korea before the war. Inspired by his father’s legacy, Alex participated in musical instrument exhibitions across North America and Europe, gaining valuable industry insights. Lisa, a graduate of the prestigious Seoul National University College of Music, majored in flute with a minor in piano. In addition to being a core instructor at BRQ Music, she was an active performer with the Korean Canadian Symphony
Orchestra (KCSO).

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From 2017 to 2023, Joyce Lee, a longtime piano instructor with a prominent studio at BRQ Music, served as its director. Joyce successfully managed the store through the challenges of the pandemic, introducing online instruction for both instrumental and theory lessons. While overseeing BRQ Music, she continued to run her piano studio, demonstrating her unwavering dedication to teaching. Under her leadership, Joyce established in-store recitals, fostering local talent and bringing live performances to the community.

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In 2023, the current owners of BRQ Music assumed ownership. Rose Oh and Andy Chung, like their predecessors, have a deep background in music, which has helped them shape the school into what it is today. With an extensive performance career, Rose spent a decade as a church pianist/organist in Seoul and was a soprano in the choir at Myeong-Dong Cathedral, a historic landmark of the Roman Catholic community in South Korea. For 20 years she has taught music, both privately and as an instructor at the Dongjak District Educational Center. Today she plays a vital role as manager and teacher while continuing to engage audiences through her performances in BRQ Music in-store recitals.

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Andy’s career spans multiple disciplines, including that of a concert promoter, band musician/singer, and digital marketing expert. A former IT officer of the CIA in US Embassy, Seoul, he is responsible for the digitization of the school and administration systems. He also launched BRQ Music's online presence by creating and developing their website, setting up their social media accounts, and expanding their digital outreach by producing live-streamed concerts and promoting video content. Andy continues to offer his technical support to independent musicians, podcasters, and YouTubers, helping them thrive.

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Today, BRQ Music is home to a team of over 24 highly skilled instructors specializing in pop, jazz, and classical music. The teaching staff consists mainly of college and university graduates specializing in music performance, education, and theory. Many also hold postgraduate degrees, including Master’s and Doctoral degrees or Artist Diplomas. Among them, violinist Dr. Eric Kim-Fujita has been a valued member of BRQ Music for 14 years, enriching the students' learning through his dedication and expertise.