Ji Hyun Kim, violin, viola

Korean-born violinist Dr. Ji Hyun Kim is an assistant professor of violin and viola, and director of the string orchestra at Spring Arbor University. Her wide-ranging career has encompassed work as a soloist, chamber musician, orchestral player, and educator. As an acclaimed soloist and chamber musician, Kim has made numerous media appearances worldwide and performed in major cities of South Korea, New Zealand, Australia, New Caledonia, Europe, and the United States. Her live performances have been featured on NZ TV3 National News, Australia’s ABC Classic FM and SBS Korean Radio, and WKAR Broadcast. The outstanding musicality and alluring stage presence of Kim’s playing have been recognized through her success in both national and international competitions hosted by the Kaleidoscope Performing Arts Foundation, Yamaha Music Society, Chamber Music New Zealand, Sydney Eisteddfod Foundation, and International Grieg Society. 

Through her education and career, Kim worked with acclaimed musicians such as Vladimir Ashkenazy, Kolya Blacher, Charles Castleman, Wolfram Christ, Richard Gill, Vivian Hagner, Beryl Kimber, Clemens Leske, Imre Palló, Roger Benedict, Wanda Wilkomirska, the Goldner String Quartet, Macquarie Trio, Nobilis Trio, and Verdehr Trio. 

 Kim received her early musical training from South Korea and New Zealand, studying under Jin-Kyoung Lee, Youngwoo Chun, Mary O’Brien, and Jonna Olivia Arthur. She attained performance diplomas from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and Trinity College London, and received a Bachelor of Music Performance with academic honors from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Australia, studying under Christopher Kimber. Kim completed her Masters Degree and Doctor of Musical Arts degree under Walter Verdehr and Raphael Jimenez at Michigan State University, with cognate studies of Contemporary Art Music and Music Therapy.

 As a dedicated educator with great interest in cultivating more positive and intimate performer-audience relationship, Kim has presented instrumental demonstrations and masterclasses to various audiences ranging from pre-school children to college level students and adults. She has founded ConTempus Initiative, a contemporary music ensemble committed to finding a good balance between the standard and newly commissioned repertoire and reaching out to a broader spectrum of audiences. Kim has also served on the juries for various auditions and competitions for professional orchestras and colleges, such as the annual concerto competition at Central Michigan University, the Lansing Symphony Orchestra’s annual auditions and young artist competitions. Kim currently serves as the artist-teacher in residence of the Jackson Symphony Orchestra, administering and teaching its satellite string program in elementary schools.