American pianist IRENE KIM is an avid believer that the arts are a manifestation of humanity and its creativity and aspires to let music travel to where its resounding compassion is much needed. Irene’s “dazzling” yet “stylistically pure” performances have been heard across North America and overseas in recitals and as a soloist with the Washington Youth Orchestra, Los Angeles Korean Chamber Orchestra, Rio Hondo Symphony, Southwestern Youth Music Festival Orchestra, and repeat performances with the Young Musicians Foundation Orchestra. She has had the honor to perform for dignitaries such as the Ambassador of Gabon and President Park Geun-hye of South Korea.

Having garnered the Franz Liszt First Prize in the Liszt-Garrison International Young Artist competition and as a prizewinner in the Carmel Music Society, Korean Concert Society, Yale Gordon Concerto, and Russell C. Wonderlic competitions amongst others, she debuted at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and gave subsequent performances at venues such as the Wilshire Ebell Theatre, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Centro Cultural del Antiguo Instituto, Luckman Theatre, and the Library of Congress. Irene has also made appearances at the Banff Centre for the Arts Festival, Gijón International Piano Festival, Piano Festival Northwest, Seminars at the Colburn School, Columbia Chalice Concert Series, An die Musik LIVE, American Liszt Society Conferences, and also as a member of the Young Artists Guild.

As a musician of curiosity, Irene has collaborated extensively, most notably with vocalists, cellists, violinists, and percussionists. She tours frequently with violinist Benjamin Hoffman, appearing in recitals from Italy to the mid-Atlantic region to enthusiastic audiences. Continuously piqued by the music of her contemporary surroundings, she has recently taken on projects with living composers. Irene’s other interests have led her to train as a conductor and also as a piano technician assistant at the Peabody Institute. She completed an internship with the Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program at the Washington National Opera and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Taking after her architect father, Irene is thoroughly interested in the acoustical designs of theatres and music halls.

Irene was born and raised in Los Angeles and began musical studies at age three with her mother, a classically trained soprano. By age five, she was accepted into the distinguished and influential studio of Ick-Choo and Hae-Young Moon, where her formative training was established. At age eight, she made her orchestral debut with the Young Musicians Foundation Orchestra.

Irene’s professional training has been centered at the Peabody Conservatory, where she recently received her Doctorate in Musical Arts. She was awarded the Albert and Rosa Silverman Memorial Scholarship and the Lillian Gutman Memorial Piano Prize by the Conservatory for her musical endeavors during her studies there. Her mentors and teachers, Marian Hahn and Boris Slutsky, have been infinitely inspiring in the impartation of their passion for the art of musicianship.

In the course of her musical erudition, she also has had the honor to work with and receive precious insight from various distinguished musicians, including Leon Fleisher, Anton Kuerti, Robert McDonald, Hamish Milne, Alexander Toradze, and Robert Van Sice amongst others.

Recognizing the importance and responsibility to nurture and serve the future generations and community in the arts, Irene Kim teaches and coaches young pianists as well as brings music to the community throughout the continent via organizations such as Artists Representation International.