Biography
Cellist Ayoun Alexandra Kim, originally from Cheonan, Korea, is a dynamic and engaging performer recognized for her artistry in both chamber music and solo performance, as well as her commitment to community engagement.
A founding member of the Ethea Trio, Kim is an active chamber musician performing across the United States; the piano trio will participate in the Banff Chamber Music Residency in 2026. She performed at the Music@Menlo 2024 season as an International Program Artist, where she worked with artists including Gil Kalish, Wu Han, David Finckel, Paul Huang, and Chad Hoopes. Kim performed as a guest artist with the Telegraph Quartet at the Rossmoor Creek Chamber Music Society’s 2024 season and joined artists such as Shai Wasner, Kim Kashkashian, Melissa White, and Julio Elizalde for San Francisco’s Chamber Music Tuesday series.
Kim’s musicality has been acknowledged through distinctions in the Yamaha Young Performing Artist Competition, the Artist Presentation Society Competition, and the Musicians Club of Women Competition. She has been invited to festivals such as the Norfolk Music Festival, Sarasota Music Festival, Kneisel Hall, Verão Classico, and the Mozarteum Sommerakademie. She has performed for renowned artists including Laurence Lesser, Steven Doane, Myung-Wha Chung, Frans Helmerson, Gary Hoffman, Maria Kliegel, Peter Oundjian, and the Brentano String Quartet.
Kim holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the Juilliard School and an Artist Diploma from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Her primary musical influences include Natasha Brofsky, Astrid Schween, Jennifer Culp, and Hans Jørgen Jensen.
"If it were not for your generous support, I would not have been able to attend the Juilliard School due to financial constraints, nor would I have had the confidence to pursue an education at such a distinguished institution. Your generosity not only eased the financial burden, but also made it possible for me to continue pursuing my musical aspirations with conviction.
The education I received at Juilliard, along with the mentorship and artistic community of which I was fortunate to be a part, has had a lasting impact on my development as both a musician and an individual. The relationships and experiences I gained continue to shape my path in profound ways.
I deeply grateful for your support, and it is my hope that I may one day extend the same generosity and encouragement to others that you have shown to me."