BIOGRAPHY

Prizewinning pianist Dr. Michael Kim has captivated audiences worldwide with his diverse and dynamic performances. A veteran of the international concert stage, Dr. Kim has appeared as a soloist with leading orchestras such as the Boston and Cincinnati Pops, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, BBC Scottish Symphony, Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, and symphonies across Canada and the U.S., including Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Edmonton, and Milwaukee. He has collaborated with esteemed conductors like Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Hans Graf, and Jerzy Maksymiuk, as well as pop icons Mitch Miller, Skitch Henderson, and Richard Kaufman.

In addition to his orchestral appearances, Dr. Kim has toured extensively as a solo recitalist throughout Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and South Korea. His innovative work in Music as Theatre includes acclaimed productions such as The Schumann Letters and Nadia. An avid chamber musician, he frequently performs alongside his wife, pianist Dr. Kyung Kim, and his sister, violinist Helen Kim. His collaborations extend to world-class artists like James Ehnes, Edgar Meyer, James Campbell, and the Bakken Trio, as well as with renowned ensembles including the Canadian Brass and the Cecilia, New Orford, Fine Arts, and New Zealand String Quartets. He has also performed with members of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and legendary clarinetist Martin Fröst. Dr. Kim has graced the stages of prominent music festivals, including Ottawa’s Chamberfest, Festival of the Sound, Aspen, Banff, and Heifetz International. His recordings for Arktos, CRI, Summit, and Orpheum Masters have received critical acclaim.

In academia, Dr. Kim holds a distinguished career as an administrator and educator. Appointed in 2022, Dr. Kim is currently serving as Dean of the Don Wright Faculty of Music at Western University in London, Ontario. He was previously Director of the School of Music at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities and Dean of Music and Vice-President External at Brandon University. At Brandon, he successfully led the School of Music while overseeing the university’s advancement programs, including fundraising, alumni relations, marketing, and communications. Earlier, he served as Chair of the Keyboard Department and Faculty Associate to the President at Lawrence University.

A graduate of The Juilliard School, where he earned his Doctor of Musical Arts degree, Dr. Kim’s accolades include a silver medal at the 1992 Scottish International Competition, and prizes at the Leeds and Ivo Pogorelich International Piano Competitions. He was also the grand prize winner of the Canadian Music and CBC National Radio Competitions.

With a career that spans performance, education, and leadership, Dr. Michael Kim continues to inspire audiences and students alike with his artistry and dedication to music.

November 2024

PHOTOS

Photography

Ken Frazier

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