ABOUT BK
"HIS MUSICAL NATURE IS PROFOUND, HIS UNDERSTANDING AND ACCEPTANCE OF HERITAGE COMPLETE."
- Darrell Rosenbluth, New York Concert Review
Violinist BAEK KIM (BK) is a rare and soulful talent whose music-making has captivated audiences, a testament to a career that masterfully balances classical artistry with success in the corporate business world.
Baek’s performance career began at the tender age of seven when he won the Grand Prize in the junior division of South Korea's prestigious Music Monthly Competition. By the age of eight, he was concertizing in both Korea and Japan — notably in Tokyo and Osaka. At the age of nine, he began studying at The Juilliard School under the guidance of the legendary pedagogue, Professor Dorothy DeLay. He went on to enthrall audiences worldwide, gracing prestigious stages such as the Aspen Music Festival and Lincoln Center. His musical education continued under globally celebrated violinist Kyung-Wha Chung, and esteemed pedagogues in Germany — Professors Mihaela Martin in Cologne and Mariana Sirbu in Leipzig. Baek was repeatedly invited to prestigious masterclasses led by Itzhak Perlman and Rosa Fain (pupil and stage-partner of David Oistrakh).
Baek's noteworthy performances include a 7-city tour with the German Nordwestdeutsche Philharmonie, during which he performed a captivating solo of the Beethoven Violin Concerto for members of the Italian Parliament. His talent was further highlighted by a critically acclaimed Carnegie Hall debut recital, where New York Concert Review critic Darrell Rosenbluth described: "His musical nature is profound, his understanding and acceptance of heritage complete".
In 2008, Baek faced a major challenge when he was diagnosed with focal dystonia in his left hand. This debilitating neural condition forced him to re-learn the violin using only three fingers. Despite this setback, Baek achieved a perfect score at his final performance exam in Leipzig Musikhochschule. This accomplishment earned him an automatic invitation to the prestigious Konzertexamen program (equivalent to Artist Diploma), which would have set him on a path to becoming a pedagogue in Germany. However, Baek instead chose to embark on a thriving, dual career path.
Today, Baek maintains a vibrant professional life both on and off the stage. As a data analytics professional for a multi-billion dollar Fortune 500 company, he plays a vital role in enabling analytics to drive profitable sales growth. While growing in his corporate career, Baek has returned to music following his hand's steady recovery, performing chamber music and passionately teaching violin to students in his studio. His students are incredibly diverse, ranging from members of top international orchestras and working professionals (including a startup founder and Registered Nurses) to high school students and young beginners as early as five years old.
Baek's journey hopes to inspire others with the power of embracing change while staying true to one's passions and talents, whether in music or the corporate world…or both.
Baek plays on a 2004 Stefan-Peter Greiner violin.
EDUCATION
The Juilliard School (Pre-College)
Cologne University of Music (Vordiplom)
Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln
University of Music and Theatre Leipzig (Bachelor’s)
Hochschule für Musik und Theater „Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy“ Leipzig
