David Kim

A native of Dallas, Texas, David Kim started playing the cello at the age of four. After deciding to pursue a career in music, he went on to receive his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from The Juilliard School. While at Juilliard on full scholarship, he studied with Harvey Shapiro. Other teachers included Ronald Leonard, Stephen Geber and David Finckel. During his time in New York, Kim performed various solo and chamber concerts at Alice Tully Hall, Merkin Hall, and at the Kosciusko Foundation for the Violoncello Society of New York. He also served as Principal Cellist of the Juilliard Orchestra and with the New York String Orchestra under Jaime Laredo.

Kim joined the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra in 1999, appointed by Hans Vonk. Under David Robertson, he was named Assistant Principal Cello of the SLSO in 2014. Chamber music performances outside of Powell Hall include concerts at the Pulitzer Arts Foundation, Saint Louis Art Museum, Innsbrook Institute, and Sheldon Concert Hall. Kim also works extensively with the Community Music School of Webster University and the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra.

He enjoys golfing, following baseball, grilling steaks and spending time with his son, Alexander and his wife, flutist Nadine Hur.

Kim plays on an 1810 Joseph Panormo cello.