About
Siwon [see-one] Kim, a native of Seoul, South Korea, is “an exceptional pianist with artistic charisma who presents deep understanding and dedication to every moment of her performance” (Alexander Toradze, World-Renowned Concert Pianist). She has been actively performing in concert venues throughout North America, Europe, and Asia, including Mariinsky II (Russia), Musashino Hall, Toppan Hall (Japan), Harbin Concert Hall (China), Morris Arts Center, Hill Auditorium (USA), Kumho Art Hall, and Universal Arts Center (South Korea). Praised in The Segye Times, Siwon’s playing demonstrates “masterful musicality with the distinct, unrestrained sound.” On the stage, she is “commanding and decisive” (South Bend Tribune).
Dr. Kim appears as a guest artist at the invitation of such festivals and concert series as the Harbin International Piano Music Festival (China), SNU Chopin Concert Series, SNU Piano Duo Ensemble Series (South Korea), and Ultreia Stage Concert Series (USA). She performed in the Prokofiev Piano Sonatas Marathon at the Toradze International Music Festival in 2023. Dr. Kim has appeared as a soloist with orchestras worldwide, including the Gunpo Prime Philharmonic Orchestra, South Bend Symphony, and The Mariinsky Orchestra. She has performed under the batons of maestros, including Jakyung Year, Tsung Yeh, Dean Whiteside, and Valery Gergiev. Besides giving performances as a solo musician, Dr. Kim is also a versatile pianist in demand in chamber music. She has performed and worked internationally with Maestro Alexander Toradze as his designated Piano Duo Partner since 2017. She was invited to perform with the Contemporary Directions Ensembles of the University of Michigan for the “The Legacy of George Crumb: Angels and Stars” tribute series and the “Gershwin Centennial Celebration: Rhapsody in Blue in 100” (2023, 2024). Dr. Kim performed for the Eisendrath Series of Ann Arbor, MI, and was a soloist with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra (2023). She is engaged in performing at the Weill Recital in Carnegie Hall (2024). Dr. Kim has performed in masterclasses and had lessons with world-renowned artists, including Oxana Yablonska, Oleg Koshelev, Vadim Monastryrski, Barry Snyder, Solomon Mikowski, Matti Raekallio, and Garry Graffman.
Dr. Kim is a top prize winner of The Segye Times Competition, The Sunhwa Music Concours, The GMI Competition, The Sungjung Cultural Foundation Concours, and The Concert Artists International Competition. She also won prizes at numerous competitions, including The Korean National Students Competition, Korean-American Cultural Foundation Concours, The Eumak-Chunchu Competition, The Samick-Beckstein Concours, Suri Music Concours, The Indianapolis Matinee Musicale Competition, and W. Byrd International Piano Competition.
Dr. Kim began studying piano at three in Seoul under Young-Ja Lee. She continued her musical studies at the country’s most prestigious music schools, such as Sunhwa Arts School, Seoul Arts High School, and Seoul National University. She received multiple merit-based scholarships for most of her studies, as she ranked first in her class. Her teachers during this time included Youngsil Kim, Sekyoung Park, and Hyoung-Joon Chang. After graduating from Seoul National University with a Bachelor of Music degree, Siwon moved to the States, joined the Alexander Toradze Piano Studio at Indiana University South Bend, and received an Artist Diploma and Master of Music degree. Siwon earned her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, studying with Arthur Greene (2024).