SHIRLEY KIM

CELLO COACH

Originally from Los Angeles, California, Shirley Kim is a section cellist of the Grand Rapids Symphony. Shirley started playing the cello at four years old, taking lessons at the Colburn School. Prior to joining the Grand Rapids Symphony, Shirley was a fellow at the New World Symphony during their 2023-2024 season. During her time at the New World Symphony, Shirley was selected to perform Shostakovich’s Eighth quartet alongside members of the Cleveland Orchestra, in which she was acclaimed for her “intense spirit and alert musicianship” (South Florida Classical Review). She has had the privilege of collaborating with artists such as Emmanuel Ax, Yo-Yo Ma, James Ehnes, Leif Ove Andsnes, among others.

In 2022, Shirley had her debut with the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra in which he received a standing ovation for her performance of Schelomo: Rhapsodie Hebraique, by Ernest Bloch. Her other notable solo engagement included performing Lalo’s Cello Concerto with the Colburn Youth Orchestra at the LACMA Bing Theater, and her performance was recorded by the largest classical radio music station in southern California, classical KUSC 91.5.

A recent graduate from the Manhattan School of Music, Shirley received her Master’s of Music degree in orchestral performance under Alan Stepansky. During her time at MSM, Shirley has had the privilege of working closely with musicians from the New York Philharmonic and the MET. Shirley received her Bachelor’s of Music from the Eastman School of Music under Steven Doane and Rosemary Elliot, and she was awarded the Celentano chamber award for excellence in chamber music.

Shirley has performed with the Pacific Symphony and New Haven Symphony Orchestras, and she has performed under the batons of Marin Alsop, Stephen Deneve, Michael Tilson Thomas, Hannu Lintu, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, and many others. Her other mentors include Dr. Richard Naill and Nancy Yamagata. Shirley spent her summers at Music Academy of the West, Sarasota Festival, Heifetz Festival, Orford Musique, and Bowdoin. Shirley has played in masterclasses and lessons for Steven Isserlis, Robert Demaine, Mark Kosower, Rebecca Gilliver, John Sharp, Laurence Lesser, Desmond Hoebig, Robert DeMaine, and others.

During her free time she enjoys cooking and spending time outdoors in nature with her husband.