Adventure and collaboration are at the heart of NYC-based violinist Clara Kim’s multi-faceted career as new music performer, chamber music artist, and educator.
By commissioning, premiering, and championing the works of living composers, Clara has quickly established herself at the forefront of her generation in the interpretation of contemporary music. She has collaborated with some of today’s most celebrated and imaginative musical voices such as Christopher Cerrone, Stephen Hartke, George Lewis, Andrew Norman, Kaija Saariaho, Juri Seo, Chris Theofanidis, and Augusta Read Thomas, and continues to actively premiere works through her solo and chamber music projects. Towards her commissioning efforts with her quartet, Clara has received support from organizations such as Chamber Music America, The Koussevitzky Foundation, Concert Artists Guild, and Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts.
As a performer, Clara concertizes regularly and loves connecting with audiences, people, and communities across the world. Her significant engagements include performances at Carnegie Hall, Jordan Hall, Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall, Merkin Hall, and Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw. Clara is a recipient of the St. Botolph Club Foundation Emerging Artist Award and a first prize winner of the Cremona Solo Violin Competition, in addition to a first prize winner at the MPrize Chamber Arts and Concert Artists Guild Competitions as a member of the Argus Quartet.
Also dedicated to community engagement and education, Clara directs Midori’s Orchestra Residencies Program, where she coaches and performs alongside violinist Midori. During the summers, she spends her time teaching at festivals such as Atlantic Music Festival, Interlochen Violin Intensive, Pacific Music Institute, and Greenwood Jr. Music Camp.
Clara holds diplomas from Tufts University (English Literature), New England Conservatory, the Royal Conservatoire of The Hague, The Juilliard School, and a doctoral degree from the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music.