James Kim

Praised for possessing “admirable purity of tone and accuracy” (James Oestreich, The New York Times) and hailed as a “miracle” (Harris Goldsmith, New York Concert Review), James Kim has performed concerti with orchestras such as the Boston Symphony and Royal Philharmonic, working with conductors David Zinman, Michael Sanderling, Alexander Shelley, Keith Lockhart, Tan Dun, and others, making appearances at Stern Auditorium, Zankel Hall, and Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and at Symphony Hall and Jordan Hall in Boston. He has given solo recitals at Carnegie Weill Hall, The Greene Space, and Kumho Art Hall. His performances have been broadcasted on radio stations NPR and WQXR. 

In his native Korea, he has appeared as soloist with Daegu, Korean, Gwacheon, and S.O.N.G. Symphonies; Incheon, Daejeon, and Goyang Philharmonics; and TIMF and KBS orchestras, engagements which have brought him to Seoul Arts Center, Lotte Concert Hall, Tongyeong Concert Hall, Daegu Concert House, and DITTO Festival.

A champion of Korean composer Shinuh Lee, Kim premiered her Cello Concerto with Wonju Philharmonic Orchestra in 2021. In the same year, Sony Classical released his album Death and Offering presenting her works dedicated to him. Last December, he gave a recital of works from the album at IBK Chamber Hall of Seoul Arts Center.

Winner of the 2006 David Popper International Cello Competition and Salon de Virtuosi’s 2012 Sony Career Grant, Kim is a top-prize and special-prize winner of the 2015 Isang Yun International Cello Competition. From 2016 to 2021, he performed on a Matteo Goffriller cello from Venice ca. 1715, generously loaned by Samsung Cultural Foundation and Stradivari Society® of Chicago, Illinois. In 2022, he served as guest principal cellist of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra. 

Kim regularly gives guest lectures at Seoul National University’s College of Music. His co-edition with Daniel Morganstern of the Locatelli Sonata in D Major for cello, published by International Music Company in 2020, provides his technical guidance in its preface. Under his tutelage, his private students have won top prizes at major international cello competitions.