Jenny Soonjin Kim

Jenny Soonjin Kim is an Assistant Professor of Practice at Claremont Graduate University, where she leads the piano and fortepiano program and directs the Performance Forum. She is also a visiting professor at the Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien (MDW) for the Wiener Masterclass in 2024, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles Master Chorale, co-chairing its Gala Host Committee for the 60th anniversary season.

Education:

• DMA, Claremont Graduate University
• MM, Graduate Certificate, Thornton School of Music, USC
• Diploma, USC
• Diploma, UCLA
• Diploma, Universität Mozarteum Salzburg
• BA, Seoul National University

Her research and artistic interests center on historical keyboard performance, particularly 18th and 19th-century practices, fortepiano interpretation, 20th-century atonal piano works, and digital keyboard laboratories. Kim is dedicated to reviving neglected composers like Leopold Kozeluch and Johann Friedrich Doles through comprehensive recordings. She blends scholarly rigor with virtuosic performance, often exploring the intersections of tradition, innovation, and cultural diplomacy in music.

The body of her recorded works reflects a deep engagement with the Classical and Romantic repertoire, especially Beethoven and his contemporaries, while also embracing modernist works by Bartók, Schoenberg, and Liszt. Her projects span complete sonata cycles, world premieres, and thematic albums that highlight stylistic evolution and interpretive depth. She is currently recording Beethoven’s five piano concertos, underscoring her commitment to long-term, high-impact artistic projects.

Scientific and Artistic Recognition:

• Nominated for the Gilmore Artist Award
• Exclusive artist with SONY Classical
• World-premiere recordings of Doles and Kozeluch
• Regional South Chair, CAPMT Concerto Competition

Kim is actively involved in mentoring and cultural leadership. She has played a central role in securing funding and coordinating performances for major events like the U.S.-Korea 70th Anniversary Concert. She advises on arts governance through her board membership at the Los Angeles Master Chorale and promotes music education through masterclasses and competitions. Though no formal students are listed, her pedagogical influence is evident in her leadership roles and public engagements.

She is associated with performance ensembles and recording projects such as the Savaria Symphonieorchester (for Beethoven concertos) and has collaborated with orchestras including the Bohuslav Martinu Philharmonie and Nürnberger Symphoniker. Her work integrates performance, research, and cultural advocacy, positioning her as a leading figure in contemporary classical music.