Seongheon Harold Kim

A native of Seoul, South Korea, Seongheon Kim is an emerging student violist highly regarded for his warm tone and thoughtful interpretive ability. He is currently studying under Eunwon Lee and Rodger Ellsworth and has previously worked with other distinguished instructors including Jane Schranze, Anne Aderman, and Hyunji Jin. Seongheon attends St. Paul’s School in Concord, New Hampshire and is musically active primarily in the New England area. Over the past summer, Seongheon attended Interlochen Arts Camp with a merit award and he is also affiliated with the New England Conservatory of Music Preparatory School. An avid scholar of chamber music, Seongheon has formed and organized the Cardigan Piano Trio and String Quartet and is a founding member of the HATE String Quartet. He regularly performs in various chamber music groups at school and while visiting other institutions. As an orchestral musician, Seongheon has played in the Cardigan Instrumental Ensemble, SPS Symphony Orchestra, SPS String Orchestra, Interlochen High School Orchestra, NHMEA All-State Festival, and Performing Arts Company: Star Star Being’s ensemble with experience holding principal and assistant principal seats and other leadership roles. He has received orchestral instruction under renowned conductors such as Tito Muñoz, Darwin Aquino, Chelsea Tipton, Orlando Pandolfi, and Caroline Watson as well as accomplished performers, namely Margaret Batjer, Timothy Lees, Dennis Kim, Jeff Thayer, Celeste Boyer, and Andrea Hoode. Additionally, Seongheon has received master class teachings from prominent violists like Milan Milisavljević, Mike Kelley, and Lenny Schranze. With his career as a soloist, Seongheon is constantly striving to reach a higher level of playing, entering numerous competitions. Most recently in January of 2023, he won 3rd place without 1st in the Neo Musica Concours held periodically in Korea. Seongheon is also deeply interested in education and community service from an early stage in his career, partnering with the Boston chapter of Notelove to teach viola and music theory, helping provide free and accessible exposure to music. The viola Seongheon currently plays on is by Benjamin Ruth, award winning instrument maker that has been designated as Hors Concours by the Violin Society of America.