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Jun Kim

  • Associate Professor, Instrumental Conducting
  • Director, Symphony Orchestra, University Community Orchestra

Education

  • DMA, Violin/Conducting Cognate, University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, 2013
  • Artist Diploma, Violin, University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, 2002
  • MM, Violin, Indiana University, 1999
  • BM, Violin, Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University, 1997

Biography

Jun Kim is widely recognized for his expressive clarity, collaborative artistry, and ability to draw deeply engaging performances from both professional and university orchestras. He has been praised for his “snappy energy and terrific ear for detail” (Milwaukee Magazine) and for providing “stylish support” (Baltimore Sun). Kim has built an international conducting career spanning both symphonic and operatic repertoire across North America and Europe.

Kim serves as Music Director of the UWM Symphony Orchestra and Artistic Director of the Washington Chamber Orchestra (WCO). In these roles, he has shaped an artistic vision rooted in excellence, inclusivity, and community engagement. Under his leadership, WCO has completed a full Beethoven Symphony Cycle, presented a sold-out concert with Chopin Competition gold medalist pianist Seong-Jin Cho, and partnered with Nurit Bar-Josef (Concertmaster, National Symphony Orchestra) for a benefit concert supporting Ukrainian refugees. Additional highlights include a critically acclaimed performance of Beethoven’s Triple Concerto with Alex Kerr (Concertmaster, Dallas Symphony Orchestra) and Mark Kosower (Principal Cello, Cleveland Orchestra), as well as collaborations with Yekwon Sunwoo (Van Cliburn Gold Medalist) in performances of Mendelssohn’s complete piano concertos.

Kim’s creative research focuses on orchestral conducting technique and rehearsal methodology. His work examines gesture, rehearsal communication, and collaborative processes between conductor, orchestra, and soloists in symphonic and operatic settings. He is also engaged in artistic research that promotes the performance of contemporary Asian composers and supports the development of next-generation artists, while exploring how orchestral performance can serve educational, humanitarian, and civic purposes.

Internationally, Kim has guest-conducted orchestras including the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Orquesta de Córdoba and North Czech Philharmonic Orchestra. He has appeared with more than forty orchestras through festivals, competitions, and masterclasses, including the BBC Symphony Orchestra at the St. Magnus Festival and with the Cincinnati and Baltimore Symphony Orchestras through the International Conductors Guild. He has also collaborated with Joshua Bell, Denyce Graves, Yeol Eum Son, and many other renowned soloists.

A laureate of several international competitions, Kim won First Prize at the Malta International Conducting Competition, Second Prize at the Orquesta de Córdoba Conducting Competition, the Beethoven Conducting Prize from the European Music Academy, and a special prize at the Ionel Perlea International Conducting Competition. Kim trained at the Pierre Monteux School for Conductors on a full scholarship and participated in the Oregon Bach Festival Discovery Series under Helmuth Rilling.

Equally at home in the opera pit, Kim received First Prize in the American Prize in Opera Conducting. His operatic credits include works by Verdi, Puccini, Mozart, Strauss, Offenbach, Ravel, and Purcell, and he has led the final opera round of the Washington International Competition at the Kennedy Center.

Jun Kim began his musical journey as a violinist. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, a Master of Music from Indiana University, and a Bachelor of Music from the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University.

Links

Recent & Selected Works

Orchestral performance led by Jun Kim in a historic church setting.
Beethoven Triple concerto concert with Alex Kerr (Concertmaster, Dallas Symphony), Mark Kosower (Principal Cello, The Cleveland Orchestra), Min Kwon (Steinway Artist), Washington Chamber Orchestra
Jun Kim featured among distinguished arts and cultural leaders at 2023 symposium.
Guest Artist and Coach, Denyce Graves Foundation Symposium for Opera Singers at the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University
Jun Kim conducts rehearsal with pianist and orchestra in concert hall.
Chopin Concerto No. 1 Concert with Chopin Competition Gold Medalist Pianist Seong Jin Cho
Promotional poster for Jun Kim conducting “Empowering Voices” with Denyce Graves
Washington Chamber Orchestra Concert with Opera Star Denyce Graves Foundation
Concert poster featuring Jun Kim conducting "From the British Isles" with Malta Philharmonic
Malta Philharmonic Orchestra “From the British Isles” Poster – Guest Conductor
Chopin Piano Concerto No.2 with Martin Garcia Garcia (Chopin Competition Bronze Medalist), Washington Chamber Orchestra, Jun Kim Conductor
Beethoven Triple Concerto with Alex Kerr (Concertmaster, Dallas Symphony), Mark Kosower (Principal Cello, Cleveland Orchestra), Min Kwon (Steinway Artist), Washington Chamber Orchestra, Jun Kim

Artistic Works & Performances

  • Chopin Piano Concerto No.2 with Martin Garcia Garcia (Chopin Competition Bronze Medalist), Washington Chamber Orchestra, Jun Kim Conductor
  • Guest Conductor, Malta Philharmonic Orchestra "British Isles" - Vaughan Williams Symphony No. 5, Britten Four Sea Interludes, Walton Violin Concerto with Alexander Kagan (Concertmaster, Bergen Symphony, Norway)
  • Beethoven Triple Concerto with Alex Kerr (Concertmaster, Dallas Symphony), Mark Kosower (Principal Cello, Cleveland Orchestra), Min Kwon (Steinway Artist), Washington Chamber Orchestra, Jun Kim
  • Beethoven Violin Concerto with Judith Ingolfsson (Gold Medalist, Indianapolis International Violin Competition), Washington Chamber Orchestra
  • Conductor, Ionel Perlea Festival Orchestra, Romania

Awards

  • Special Prize, Ionel Perlea International Conducting Competition, Romania (2025)
  • 1st Prize, Malta Philharmonic International Conducting Competition, Malta (2018)

Notable

  • Invited three times as a Panelist for the National Endowment for the Arts Grants - 2019, 2023, 2025.
  • Invited as a distinguished luminary for the Denyce Graves Foundation Symposium, hosted by the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University (2023).