April Ryun Kim

April Ryun Kim is an Associate Professor of Practice in Music at St. Olaf College, where she teaches applied piano lessons, keyboard pedagogy, piano classes, and coaches chamber music in the Music Department. She maintains an active performance career while championing music education initiatives.

Her educational background:

• DMA in Piano Performance from the University of Missouri - Kansas City
• MM in Solo and Collaborative Performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music
• BM in Piano Performance with a Collaborative Emphasis from St. Olaf College

Dr. Kim's professional focus spans:

• Music Education and Keyboard Pedagogy
• Piano Performance across solo and collaborative repertoire
• Chamber Music with emphasis on 20th/21st century works
• Contemporary Classical Music advocacy
• New music promotion through living composers

She directs the Korean Composers Festival and performs with the 10th Wave Chamber Collective, specializing in modern compositions by artists like Missy Mazoli and David Lang. Her performance history includes collaborations with Pittsburgh Symphony musicians and appearances in "True Witness: A Civil Rights Cantata".

Professional recognition includes:

• First Prize in Thursday Musical Competition
• First Prize in Schubert Club Competition

Dr. Kim serves as adjudicator for MTNA and MMTA competitions while teaching at summer programs including St. Olaf Summer Music Academy and Lutheran Summer Music Academy. She regularly presents at conferences such as the College Music Society, International Music by Women Festival, and National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy.