New York Philharmonic

Michelle Kim,

Assistant Concertmaster
The William Petschek Family Chair

Michelle Kim, Violinist Michelle Kim has been Assistant Concertmaster (The William Petschek Family Chair) of the New York Philharmonic since 2001. She has performed as soloist with orchestras such as the New York Philharmonic, New Jersey Philharmonic, Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra, and Pacific Symphony. An active chamber musician, Ms. Kim has collaborated with violinists Cho-Liang Lin, Christian Tetzlaff, and Pinchas Zukerman; cellists Mstislav Rostropovich, Lynn Harrell, and Gary Hoffman; and pianists Lang Lang and Yefim Bronfman. She has performed at the Santa Fe Chamber Music, La Jolla Chamber Music, Strings in the Mountain, and Bravo! Vail Valley Music festivals. She has also served as the first violinist of the Rossetti String Quartet, and was a Sterne Virtuoso Artist at Skidmore College in 2007–08. A former Presidential Scholar, Ms. Kim attended the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music as a Starling Foundation scholarship recipient. She has been a member of the faculty at the USC Thornton School of Music; Colburn School of Performing Arts; and University of California, Santa Barbara. Michelle Kim currently teaches at the Mannes College of Music.

Photo of Michelle Kim,: Chris Lee

Q&A with Michelle Kim: January 2007

Michelle Kim

Michelle Kim, Assistant Concertmaster
The William Petschek Family Chair

THE FACTS: Born in Seoul, South Korea. Attended the Colburn School of Performing Arts and the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music. Prior to the Philharmonic: Concertmaster of the Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra, Fresno Philharmonic, 20th Century Unlimited Chamber Orchestra, New Hampshire Festival Orchestra, and Riverside Philharmonic. At the Philharmonic: Joined in 2001. Made solo debut in Bach’s Double Concerto with Principal Associate Concertmaster Sheryl Staples. Teaches at Mannes College of Music. Most recent recording: a live concert from the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival (Stereophile).

EARLIEST MUSICAL MEMORY: I started playing the piano at seven, and the violin at about eleven. I remember going to the Music Center in Los Angeles for the first time, with my violin teacher, Robert Lipsett, to hear the Los Angeles Philharmonic perform the Brahms Double Concerto. I cannot remember anything else, but I know I loved every minute of it.

WHO WAS YOUR MOST IMPORTANT MUSICAL INFLUENCE? My only teacher — Robert Lipsett — but my father also had a big part in my career. He was always positive and supportive, and being a singer and conductor himself, he used to sing and beat out all the new pieces for me.

DESCRIBE YOUR JOB AS ASSISTANT CONCERTMASTER: Aside from assisting and supporting Glenn [Dicterow] and Sheryl [Staples], I also have to lead the Orchestra at times.

WHAT IS THE MOST DIFFICULT ASPECT OF YOUR JOB? The only difficulty is not being able to spend very much time with my family. Otherwise, I feel very blessed to be a part of this amazing orchestra.

MOST INSPIRING COMPOSERS: Mozart and Bach — elegant, simple, and just heavenly!

DO YOU DO ANY SPECIAL PREPARATION BEFORE A CONCERT? I make sure to have at least an hour to warm up and mentally prepare.

ARE YOU PLAYING IN ANY ENSEMBLES CONCERTS THIS YEAR? I’m playing Brahms’s Piano Quartet No. 3 on February 25.

IF YOU COULD PLAY ANOTHER INSTRUMENT WHAT WOULD IT BE? I would love to sing. We are all ultimately trying to sound like the voice.

WHAT’S IN YOUR CD PLAYER? A recording by mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli

ARE THERE ANY OTHER MUSICIANS IN YOUR FAMILY? My father is a tenor, conductor, and composer. My mother is a homemaker, but she swears that my musical abilities come from her side of the family. My kids, Ethan and Lia, haven’t shown any interest in music, but I’m hoping that they will play something as a hobby. My husband, Brian, tries to keep me looking glamorous with the jewelry he designs.

Solo and Chamber Performances

Sunday, October 10, 2010
3:00PM 		Philharmonic Ensembles
Saturday, November 27, 2010
2:00PM 		Saturday Matinee
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
7:30PM 		Alan Gilbert, conductor
Saturday, January 29, 2011
2:00PM 		Saturday Matinee
Sunday, April 3, 2011
3:00PM 		Chamber Concert II with Anne-Sophie Mutter
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