BIO

“…Absolutely brilliant soloist” - Women’s philharmonic advocacy

“…A clear audience favorite… receiving a full standing ovation.” - Quasi-Faust

Steinway Artist Byeol Kim is recognized for her distinctive artistic voice—where refined musicianship meets a sharp visual sensibility and an instinct for narrative. Praised for her “ingeniously colorful imagination and stage charisma” (Agata Nowakowska) and “hushed performances as an operatic singer on the piano” (Cleveland Classical), she brings a vivid, thoughtful approach to a wide range of artistic contexts—crafting performances that feel grounded, personal, and multidimensional.

Kim has performed across North America, Europe, and Asia as both soloist and collaborator. A top prizewinner at the Cleveland, Paderewski, Dallas, Louisiana, San Antonio, New Orleans, and Washington International Piano Competitions, she has appeared with orchestras including the Cleveland Orchestra, Rochester Philharmonic, Paderewski Pomeranian Philharmonic, Pohang Philharmonic, and Dallas Chamber Symphony. Her concerto and recital engagements have taken her to venues such as Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall, Flagey in Brussels, Petit Palau in Barcelona, Koerner Hall in Toronto, and Mozart Hall in South Korea.

Equally drawn to the human and relational dimension of music-making, Kim finds inspiration in the shared energy of chamber music. She has performed with the Escher and Rolston String Quartets, appeared as the Cambridge Piano Trio at the La Jolla Music Society, and collaborated with artists including Cho–Liang Lin, Jian Wang, Yura Lee, Paul Neubauer, and Lyubov Petrova. Her multidimensional artistry—spanning solo work, collaboration, and creative programming—was recognized with a win at the 2019 Astral National Auditions.

At the core of her artistic practice is a spirit of curiosity and openness. Kim approaches performance as a living form of inquiry—one that invites narrative, imagination, and experimentation. Her work spans solo and chamber repertoire, as well as interdisciplinary projects involving literature, animation, and visual design. She was awarded the Digital Challenge Prize by the Music Academy of the West for an original animation-based performance, which introduced her storytelling-focused creative voice to wider audiences.

This exploratory spirit continues to shape her programming. Her 2024/25 season includes performances of four piano concertos across the U.S. and the debut of Nocturnal Journey—a recital program exploring the inner landscapes of night through curated animation and reflective repertoire. Inspired by writers such as Rilke and Virginia Woolf, the program invites listeners into a space of stillness, memory, and imagination.

Looking ahead, Kim has commissioned Estrella, a new solo work by composer Texu Kim, scheduled to premiere in the 2025/26 season. Inspired by the meaning of her Korean name—“star”—the piece reflects her broader artistic vision: to celebrate cultural identity and bring to light the hidden gems of the repertoire—works and composers that offer fresh perspective, invite deeper listening, and enrich the evolving story of the classical stage.

Kim holds degrees from Seoul National University (BM) and the Eastman School of Music (MM), where she studied with Dr. Enrico Elisi. She earned Artist Diplomas from both the Glenn Gould School and Rice University, becoming the first pianist accepted by Jon Kimura Parker into Rice’s Artist Diploma program, a highly selective path focused on performance and creative development. She later completed her DMA at Northwestern University, studying with James Giles—a chapter that deepened her commitment to shaping musical experiences that resonate both on and beyond the stage.

Kim’s work also extends into leadership and community engagement. She serves as Director of the Rollins Community School of Music and Founder of the Summer Piano Academy, two programs dedicated to building vibrant, inclusive spaces where music becomes a lasting part of everyday life. She also holds the position of Assistant Professor of Music at Rollins College, where she mentors the next generation of thoughtful, inquisitive musicians.

She lives in Orlando, Florida with her husband, their son, and a piano-loving Maltipoo—and continues to find creative fuel in books, food, and the quiet rhythms that shape a reflective life.