Praised for her “musical maturity and masterful technique” (Leipziger Volkszeitung), Korean- born violinist Soo Yeon Kim is a recitalist, teaching artist, and speaker who regularly appears on concert stages across the U.S., Europe, and Asia.

In her early performing career, Dr. Kim garnered international recognition through competition wins, notably being the two-time first-prize winner of the Concerto Competition at Juilliard Pre-College and the first-prize winner of the Concerto Competition at the Eastman, as well as a finalist at Johansen International String Competition. Her successful solo debut at Lincoln Center at the age of 13 with the Juilliard Pre-College Orchestra built up to later appearing as a soloist and violin fellow at major music festivals, including the Starling-Delay Symposium on Violin Studies at Juilliard, Aspen Music Festival–Conducting Academy, Holland Music Sessions in the Netherlands, Leipzig Internationale Sommer-Musikakademie and Kronberg Academy in Germany.

An avid chamber musician, Dr. Kim has worked closely with leading composers of her generation and eminent artists, notably the late Peter Serkin, Joseph Kalichstein, Timothy Eddy, members of Emerson String Quartet, and Juilliard Quartet, and her performances were broadcast live on New York’s classical radio station WQXR.

Her expertise in mindfulness and a holistic approach to teaching—rooted in anatomical and cognitive studies—led her to found a globally active string studio that nurtures aspiring young artists and professionals. Dr. Kim is deeply committed to the well-being of every artist, offering practical, individualized guidance that supports both musical growth and personal wellness. Her past teaching appointments include violin faculty/instructor and teaching artist positions at University of Rochester-Eastman, Juilliard, Carnegie’s Weill Institute, Thurnauer School of Music at the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades, Luzerne Music Center, Killington Music Festival, and Midori Summer Music Lab. She currently teaches at Houghton University as Assistant Professor of Violin and Viola and Director of Summer Music Festival at Houghton. In addition to her collegiate appointment, she maintains an active private string studio, teaching students globally.

Her students have won top prizes in regional and international competitions and have been admitted to top pre-college programs, conservatories and universities, including Juilliard, Manhattan School of Music, Mannes, Eastman, Harvard, Yale, Stanford, and Columbia.

Dr. Kim is a graduate of Juilliard (B.M. & M.M.) on a full scholarship studying under Stephen Clapp and Sylvia Rosenberg, and Eastman (D.M.A.) on merit scholarships with minors in Music History and String Pedagogy, studying with Robin Scott. For more information on her upcoming performances and teaching engagements, please visit drsooyeonkim.com.