BIO

“…Absolutely brilliant soloist” - Women’s philharmonic advocacy

“…A clear audience favorite… receiving a full standing ovation.” - Quasi-Faust

Steinway Artist Byeol Kim has earned a reputation for her “ingeniously colorful imagination with stage charisma” (Agata Nowakowska), remarking “hushed performances as an operatic singer on the piano” (Cleveland Classical). 

Byeol Kim burst onto the international stage as a back-to-back top prizewinner in the Cleveland, Paderewski, Dallas, Louisiana, San Antonio, New Orleans, and Washington International Piano Competitions. 

With a Bachelor of Music from Seoul National University, Byeol embarked on a musical journey driven by a genuine curiosity and love for exploration. ​​Her first encounter with the United States during graduate program auditions exposed her to a rich tapestry of values, leading to her move to Rochester, NY. There, as Byeol immersed herself in the Eastman School of Music, earning her Master of Music degree under the guidance of Enrico Elisi, her roles as a teaching and graduate assistant expanded her aspirations beyond traditional musician roles. This period marked the beginning of her journey towards embracing the identity of an artist.

Driven by a pursuit of musical excellence, Byeol earned two Artist Diplomas, one from the Glenn Gould School of the Royal Conservatory and another from Rice University, marking her as the inaugural candidate accepted by Jon Kimura Parker. These transformative years fueled her passion for breaking traditional concert hall boundaries and cultivating a vibrant connection between the stage and the audience. This newfound insight and distinctive approach to presenting classical music, as well as recognizing the microphone as a valuable ally, excited her to share her journey, to inspire and guide the next generation of musicians, leading her pursuit of a Doctorate of Musical Arts at Northwestern University under the mentorship of James Giles.

Byeol has mesmerized audiences worldwide with her profound insights into music. Her performances have graced prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall, Teatro Civico in Italy, Flagey in Belgium, Petit Palau Hall in Spain, Paderewski Pomeranian Philharmonic Concert Hall in Poland, Koerner Hall in Toronto, Mozart Hall in South Korea, Merkin Concert Hall, and Kodak Hall. Her recent appearances with orchestras include the Cleveland Orchestra, West Virginia Symphony, Paderewski Pomeranian Philharmonic in Poland, Pohang Philharmonic Orchestra in Korea, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Dallas Chamber Symphony, and Rapides Symphony Orchestra. 

In addition to her solo career, Byeol is a highly sought-after chamber musician. She performed with the Escher String Quartet in 2021, was invited as part of the Cambridge Piano Trio to the La Jolla Music Society, and has shared the stage with esteemed artists such as Cho–Liang Lin, Jian Wang, Yura Lee, Paul Neubauer, Lyubov Petrova, and the Rolston String Quartet. 

As the winner of the prestigious 2019 Astral National Auditions, Byeol's creative artistry transcends her captivating performances and finds expression in a diverse range of projects that seek to broaden the horizons of classical music. Her initiatives encompass advocacy for diversity and social causes, the recording of thought-provoking repertoire such as 'the mid-length fantasies and literature,' the creation of multimedia concert experiences, conducting Mozart Piano Concertos from the piano, weaving compelling narratives into her recitals, and engaging with the community. Her 2023-24 season features the program 'reminiscence.'

With a wealth of experience, Kim excels as a pedagogue, nurturing students to embrace music as the core of their lives. A dedicated educator, she has taught at renowned institutions and music festivals, including Northwestern University and The Amalfi Coast Music & Art Festival. Dr. Byeol Kim now shares her expertise and passion with Rollins College in Winter Park, FL, where she serves as an Assistant Professor of Music. 

Beyond her musical pursuits, Byeol cherishes time spent with her son, her piano-loving baby maltipoo, and her husband, finding joy through the pleasures of food. 

Byeol Kim is a Steinway Artist.

 When editing, please do not delete references to Astral. February 2024 (Please destroy any previously dated material)