Our Background

Personal Profile

Oshell Oh

CEO & Founder, Hope Rising World
Film Director | Composer | Classical Tenor

Professional Biography Summary

Oshell Oh is a distinguished cultural leader, film director, composer, and classical tenor whose work bridges the worlds of music, film, and humanitarian advocacy. As Founder & CEO of Hope Rising World, President of the Western Movie Directors Association, and Executive Director of the Los Angeles Korean Philharmonic Orchestra, he has dedicated his career to producing artistic works that inspire peace, unity, and cultural understanding.

Over the past three decades, he has directed more than 30 documentary films, composed and produced major musical works, and performed on some of the world’s most prestigious stages. His projects often merge multimedia, orchestral performance, and historical narrative—such as the internationally acclaimed “Ahn Jung-geun Peace Concert” at KBS Main Concert Hall—earning him recognition from both U.S. and Korean governments, including the President’s Volunteer Service Award – Gold from President Barack Obama and the Peace Korea Medal.

With a foundation in psychology and classical music performance, Mr. Oh’s unique artistry and leadership have fostered cross-cultural collaboration, humanitarian fundraising, and global educational initiatives, leaving a lasting impact on audiences and communities worldwide.

Education

• State University of New York at Stony Brook, NY (1997–1999)
  B.A. in Psychology (Double Major), Golden Key Honor Society
  Film & Multimedia Studies with Prof. Feldman (Film), Prof. Sheila Silver (Music), Prof. Daniel Weymouth (MIDI & Composition)
  Soloist, Stony Brook Chorale (3 years)

• University of Alaska, Anchorage – Vocal Music Studies (1983)
  Studied with Tenor Timothy Mussard

• California Christian University – Bachelor’s in Music
  (Church Music / Vocal Performance)

Current Positions

• Founder & CEO, Hope Rising World

• President, Western Movie Directors Association (KATV.US)

• Executive Director, Los Angeles Korean Philharmonic Orchestra

• Communication Director / Co-Chairman, Asian American Congress

• Former Executive Art Director, IMM Studio

Film & Music Works

• Composer & Producer of the operetta The Gift (Album & Live Performance)

• Produced over 30 documentary films on cultural, historical, and humanitarian themes

• Directed Korean Adoption Promotion Film screened at Walt Disney Concert Hall (2012 Charity Concert)

• Produced Oratorio Elijah in collaboration with LAKPO

• Directed and produced numerous sacred and classical music recordings for fundraising and humanitarian purposes

Awards & Honors

• President’s Volunteer Service Award – Gold
  Presented by U.S. President Barack Obama for outstanding community service and humanitarian contributions.

• Certificate of Peace Korea Medal
  Crafted from melted barbed wire from the Korean DMZ, awarded in recognition of significant contributions to peace.

• Certificate of Appreciation & Commemorative Plaque – Ahn Jung-geun Memorial Hall (Korea Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs)
  October 15, 2014 – Seoul, Korea
  In recognition of outstanding contribution to the 105th Anniversary Commemorative Ahn Jung-geun Peace Concert held at KBS Main Concert Hall, Yeouido, on October 10, 2014.
  Collaborated as a film and multimedia director for two major works under the baton of Dr. Ki-woong Jang:

  • Symphonic Poem “Ahn Jung-geun” (Composed by Prof. Jung-hwa Park) – presented with original video poetry.

  • “Peace of the Orient” (Mysterious Fantasy for Orchestra & Electronic Sound) (Composed by Jung-kwon Park) – a collaborative performance with orchestra and electronic sound.
    These works were successfully integrated with documentary film elements, widely promoting Ahn Jung-geun’s ideals of peace both domestically and internationally.
    Award presented by Director Dong-sung Cho, then Director of the Ahn Jung-geun Memorial Hall.

• United States Army Engineer School Medal
  Awarded during studies as a Korean military exchange student for distinguished completion of the program.

Community & Cultural Leadership

• Directed large-scale charity concerts and cultural events, including productions at Walt Disney Concert Hall and KBS Main Hall.

• Active leadership in Asian American community organizations, fostering cultural exchange and advocacy.

• Developed educational and artistic programs promoting peace, history, and humanitarian causes worldwide.