Benny Kim

{{short description|American violinist of Korean ancestry (born 1962)}}

Benny Kim (born 14 August 1962, Urbana, Illinois, USA{{cite news | author=Loisann Oakes | title=Violinist Still On Lvco's Musical Path | url=https://www.mcall.com/1992/03/06/violinist-still-on-lvcos-musical-path/ | work=The Morning Call | date=1992-03-06 | access-date=2016-04-13}}) is an American violinist of Korean ancestry. One of three sons of Hei Chu Kim and Hyung Ja Kim, his brother Eric Kim is a cellist.{{cite news | author=Anthony Tommasini | title=Harmonic Friendship Invigorates An Evening | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/25/arts/music-review-harmonic-friendship-invigorates-an-evening.html | work=The New York Times | date=25 February 2002 | accessdate=2009-08-30}}

Kim's early teachers included Doris Preucil and Almita Vamos. He studied at the Juilliard School under Dorothy DeLay, and graduated in 1986 with bachelor's and master's degrees. In 1981, he was a prize-winner in the Saint Louis Symphony Young Artist Competition.{{cite news | author=Tim Page | title=Debuts in Review | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/11/06/arts/music-debuts-in-review-021619.html?&pagewanted=all | work=The New York Times | date=6 November 1983 | accessdate=2009-08-30}} In 1983, he won the Young Concert Artists competition.{{cite news | author=Will Crutchfield | title=Naumberg Plays in Damrosch Park | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/06/18/arts/music-naumburg-plays-in-damrosch-park.html | work=The New York Times | date=18 June 1984 | accessdate=2009-08-30}} In 1984 & 2004, he was a soloist with the Naumburg Orchestral Concerts, in the Naumburg Bandshell, Central Park, in the summer series. {{Cite web |title=Notable Events and Performers |url=https://naumburgconcerts.org/notable-events-and-performers |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=Naumburg Orchestral Concerts |language=en-US}}

Kim has a specific focus on chamber music performances{{cite news | author=Will Crutchfield | title=Juilliard Presents 3d In Contemporary Series | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/01/24/arts/music-noted-in-brief-juilliard-presents-3d-in-contemporary-series.html | work=The New York Times | date=24 January 1985 | accessdate=2009-08-30}}{{cite news | author=Dave Irwin | title=String Fling | url=http://weeklywire.com/ww/03-01-99/tw_review2.html | work=Tucson Weekly | date=1 March 1999 | accessdate=2009-08-30}}{{cite news | author=Vivien Schweitzer | title=New Performance Math: Trio + Quartet = Septet | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/30/arts/music/30trio.htm | work=The New York Times | date=29 April 2009 | accessdate=2009-08-30}} and is a regular featured musician at chamber music festivals such as the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival,{{cite news | author=John Stege | title=Closing the Chamber Door: With Careful Subtlety to the End | url=http://www.sfreporter.com/stories/closing_the_chamber_door/4018/ | archive-url=https://archive.today/20120914061823/http://www.sfreporter.com/stories/closing_the_chamber_door/4018/ | url-status=dead | archive-date=14 September 2012 | work=Santa Fe Reporter | date=20 August 2008 | accessdate=2009-08-30 }} Music from Angel Fire, La Jolla SummerFest, Chamber Music Northwest, and the Laurel Festival. He has also been active as a concerto soloist.

In 1995, Kim joined the violin faculty at the University of Missouri–Kansas City, and currently has the title of associate professor.