Chaerin Kim
Internationally acclaimed harpist Chaerin Kim began harp studies at the age of 18 after studying cello, violin, singing and piano. She was the Grand Prize Winner of Korean Student's Newspaper Music Competition in Piano, in Seoul, Korea (1989) and the Walgan Music Competition Bronze Medalist in Piano, in Seoul, Korea (1987). She majored piano in Yawon Music Middle School and Kaywon Music High School. In the last year of Kaywon High School, where she won the soloist audition, she started to learn harp and just a year later, performing Hindemith Sonata and Grandjany Variation, she entered Ehwa University as a harp major.
Ms. Kim received her bachelors degree from Ewha University in Seoul, graduating with highest honors, and performing the Pierne Concerto with the Ewha University symphony as the winner of the soloist competition just two years after she started to play the harp. Her successful performance resulted in sponsorship from the Korean newspaper “Chosun”. She was a guest soloist to perform Debussy’s Danses and Ravel’s Introduction et Allegro with the Yonsei Sinfonietta (2001).
Studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London brought her much success, winning the “Julia Leney Harp Prize” (2002), the“Foundation Award” (2002), the “M. A. Garrett Award” (2004), and she became the recipient of a diploma for musical skills from the international harp competition in Russia as winner of the best performance of Russian music (2005). Consequently, Ms. Kim performed live on national radio and television in Russia and Korea. After graduating with distinction at Royal Academy of Music, she began her Masters degree at Yale and performed at Carnegie Hall with Russian Philharmonic. Dr. Kim was the recipient of the “CFA award” with a full scholarship for her Doctorate at Boston University. She has performed the Ginastera Concerto with the Sung Nam Philharmonic at the International Music Festival and broadcasted in live in Korea (2007), and with the Boston University Symphony as the winner of their soloist competition (2008).
Dr. Kim received her doctorate receiving the departmental honors award. She was the Quickest Recipient of Doctorate in the history of Boston University Music Department. She has given numerous performances as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestra harpist, in Korea, Switzerland, England, France, Wales, Russia, and the United States of America, in venues such as Jordan Hall, Symphony Hall, Tanglewood Music Center, and Carnegie Hall. In 2007, she had a world premiere of the harp concerto written for her by composer Ivana Lisak. Dr. Kim also composes and conducts.
view live performances and lectures by Chaerin Kim