Executive Leadership

Kristen Kim

Executive Director

Kristen Kim is a cellist studying under Hyun-Jin Kim, and a senior at Westview High School. She began studying cello at age six and has performed as a soloist with orchestras including the Eugene Symphony, Oregon Sinfonietta, Amadeus Chamber Orchestra, and Oregon Mozart Players. She has also performed at Carnegie Hall as a first-place winner of the American Protégé International String Competition. Her honors include first place in the Oregon MTNA Junior Strings Competition, the 2025 Mary Cox Award from the National Federation of Music Clubs, and 2025 Phillips Award from the Monday Musical Club of Portland.

Kristen is an active orchestral and chamber musician, serving as Co-Principal Cello of the Portland Youth Philharmonic and PYP Camerata Chamber Orchestra. She was also the principal of the 2025 OMEA All-State Orchestra. She has attended intensive summer programs including the Bowdoin International Music Festival, National Symphony Orchestra Summer Music Institute, and Boston University Tanglewood Institute. There, she participated in masterclasses with renowned musicians such as Steven Isserlis and the Shanghai Quartet, and studied under Paul Katz and Amir Eldan.

She was selected as an All Classical Radio Young Artist Ambassador for 2025–26, participating in performances, recordings, interviews, and community outreach. She was also featured as the cellist in Yamaha’s “You Are the Instrument” Global Campaign.

Beyond performing, Kristen is passionate about music education, mentorship, and creating opportunities for young musicians. She enjoys chamber music, collaborating with other musicians, and sharing the transformative experience of music with her community.