Adventure and collaboration are at the heart of violinist Clara Kim’s dynamic career as a performer, chamber musician, and educator. Recognized as a leading interpreter of contemporary music, she is known for her bold programming and dedication to championing the work of living composers.

Clara has commissioned and premiered countless pieces by established, emerging, and student composers alike, and has worked with some of today’s most imaginative musical voices, including Katherine Balch, Christopher Cerrone, Stephen Hartke, Leilehua Lanzilotti, George Lewis, Andrew Norman, Roger Reynolds, Kaija Saariaho, Juri Seo, Christopher Theofanidis, and Augusta Read Thomas, among others. Her commissioning efforts have generously been supported by organizations such as Chamber Music America, The Koussevitzky Foundation, New Music USA, Concert Artists Guild, and Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts.

As a performer, Clara loves connecting with audiences, people, and communities around the globe. Her significant engagements include performances at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall, Merkin Hall, Jordan Hall, and Het Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. Clara is a recipient of the St. Botolph Club Foundation Emerging Artist Award and a first prize winner of the Cremona Solo Violin Competition, in addition to a first prize winner at the MPrize Chamber Arts and Concert Artists Guild Competitions as a. member of the Argus Quartet. A passionate chamber musician, Clara was a founding member and longtime executive director of Argus for its initial decade and currently performs and leads in ensembles such as A Far Cry, Talea Ensemble, and American Composers Orchestra.

Dedicated to education and community engagement, Clara directs Midori’s Orchestra Residencies Program, coaching and performing alongside violinist Midori to inspire the next generation of musicians. She has held residencies teaching at institutions such as Princeton University, Yale University, and Boston Conservatory, and is a faculty member at summer programs such as the Atlantic Music Festival, Greenwood Music Camp, Interlochen’s Violin Institute, and Pacific Music Institute. Clara holds degrees from Tufts University (English Literature), New England Conservatory, the Royal Conservatoire of The Hague, The Juilliard School, and doctorate from the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music.