Pauline Bjorem

Dr. Pauline Kung Bjorem, director of piano studies, associate professor of piano, and co-director of the ACU PianoFest Summer Academy at Abilene Christian University passed away on November 15, 2015 at Baylor Hospital in Dallas after a long battle with cancer. A memorial service honoring her life will be held in the Williams Performing Center recital hall, on ACU campus, on Saturday November 21, at 2:00 pm. A private burial will be held at the Texas State Veterans Cemetery on Friday.

Pauline was born on April 2, 1970 in Malaysia to Chew Soon and Chew Sew Kung. She was raised in Penang, Malaysia and at the age of 14 attended the prestigious Yehudi Menuhin School of Music in Surrey, England for 3 years. She was the first Malaysian to be accepted there, she was granted a full scholarship which opened the door for others from her country. After completing her study's there, Pauline enrolled at Abilene Christian University to continue her education. It was there that she met the love of her life Brent Bjorem. On February 26th, 1996 they were married in Brent's home town of Gresham, Oregon. Together they have lived in several states while Pauline continued her education and polished her craft as a pianist. In 2005 they moved to Abilene where Pauline joined the faculty of ACU as an Associate Professor. Besides the piano, Pauline had a love for the Lord and a passion for her students. She was a doting mother of Kiana and a loving wife to Brent.

Pauline had a DMA in piano performance and pedagogy from the University of Oregon, a master of music in piano performance from Hardin-Simmons University and a bachelor of music in piano performance for Abilene Christian University. Her teachers included Dean Kramer, Victor Steinhardt, Peter Norris , Seta Tanyel, the late Louis Kentner and Vlado Perlemuter, Ron Rathbun and Mark Puckett.

Dr. Bjorem performed solo recitals throughout England (including performances on the BBC and Wigmore Hall, (London), Wales, Malaysia and the United States (California, Oregon, Washington and Texas). In addition, she performed concertos with the Yehudi Menuhin School Orchestra, Penang Symphony Orchestra and the Abilene Collegiate Orchestra. She has performed numerous chamber music works with strings, woodwinds, voice, and chorus and with two pianos. She has held teaching positions at Dallas Baptist University (Dallas, Texas), Northwest Christian College and Eugene Bible College (Eugene, Oregon). Pauline has touched the lives of many students at Abilene Christian University and will be greatly missed by them as well as her colleagues in the Music Department.

Pauline is survived by her husband Brent of Abilene, her daughter Kiana, her parents, two brothers; Paulson and Jason Kung.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com.