Upon hearing the glorious first notes of Bach’s First Suite for Unaccompanied Cello played by his kindergarten teacher, cellist Connor Kim immediately fell deeply in love with music and the instrument. After incessantly begging his parents for lessons and a cello for two years, they finally acquiesced and it came to be that he would start the incredible journey of music making. Described by the San Francisco Classical Voice as being “the biggest coup of the evening,” Connor is dedicated to creating a welcome space for audience members to come and feel the life-changing power of live music.

His adventures have given him opportunities to perform at a wide variety of venues such as Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall and Stern Auditorium, Alice Tully Hall, David Geffen Hall, Bing Concert Hall, Temple Beth El, Helsinki’s Musiikkitalo, Davies Symphony Hall, Disney Hall, Hwang In Young’s MusicSpace Camerata, the Seoul Arts Center, Jeju Arts and Culture Center, WQXR’s Greene Space, and Brooklyn’s Bargemusic. An ardent believer that any space is fit for music, Mr. Kim also enjoys performing in cafes and smaller intimate settings.

Accolades and achievements include winning top prizes at the Schadt National Competition for Strings, the Anton Rubinstein Academy International Competition, and the Fremont Symphony Orchestra Young Artists Competition. He made his debut with the Fremont Symphony Orchestra performing Dvorak’s Cello Concerto at their 50th Season Gala.

Connor is the cellist of the Hesper String Quartet, and as a passionate chamber musician has performed with artists such as Itzhak Perlman, Shai Wosner, Roger Tapping, Michael Collins, and Hsin Yun Huang. Festival appearances include MISQA, The Great Lakes Festival, Ravinia Steans Institute for Music, Music@Menlo, Kneisel Hall, Manchester Music Festival, the Perlman Music Program Chamber Music Workshop, Kronberg Academy Cello Masterclasses, and IMS Prussia Cove. He has performed and worked with various ensembles and orchestras such as the New York Philharmonic, the New York Classical Players, Ensemble Salome, Jupiter Symphony Chamber Players, and has served as principal cellist for The Roosevelt Island Orchestra and Brooklyn Chamber Orchestra.

Connor has been a Teaching Assistant at The Juilliard School since 2020 and is currently serving as an assistant to cellist and faculty member, Zvi Plesser. He is also on faculty at the Hoff-Barthelson Music School.