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Helena Hyesoo Kim

Korean-Canadian Pianist based in Cleveland

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Biography

Helena Hyesoo Kim is a Korean-Canadian pianist who enjoys connecting with communities through her performances, teaching, and outreach. Her performances have been acclaimed as “sensitive”, “charming,” and “noble.” At the age of eleven, she performed with the Poland Chamber Orchestra in South Korea. As an active performer, she has appeared in various venues to perform solo and chamber recitals in Russia, South Korea, Chile, Holland, Spain, France, Canada, and the United States. Kim has competed and been awarded in numerous national and international competitions, including the Vancouver Women’s Musical Society, the CCM Concerto Competition, the Robert Beardsley Piano Prize Competition, the Russian International Music Festival, and the Hanguk Ilbo and Eum-Yeon Competitions. 


Kim’s music education began at the age of five and continued in the Yewon Art School and at the Specialized Music School for Gifted Children of the Saint-Petersburg Conservatory, named after Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. She acquired a dual degree in Science (Physiology and Psychology) and Music (Piano Performance) from the University of British Columbia, a Master’s in Piano Performance at McGill University, an Artist Diploma at the Université de Montréal, and DMA at the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati.


Kim is passionate about discovering works by underrepresented composers. Her recent performances featured the works of female contemporary composers: Caroline KyungA Ahn, Alexina Louie, and Sofia Gubaidulina. Her DMA research focuses on piano sonatas by Galina Ustvolskaya who is often referred to as “a lady with hammers” who kept her idiosyncratic style despite the repression of the Soviet government. Kim presented her music at the Music Teachers National Association National and State Conferences and performed a lecture-recital at the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy. Before coming to Cincinnati, she also played in contemporary ensembles at McGill University and UBC.  


Collaborating with different musicians and cultivating students is a significant part of her career. Kim worked as a collaborative pianist at the College-Conservatory of Music and Northern Kentucky University. She has taught piano students from diverse educational and demographic backgrounds at all age. 


In addition to teaching and performing activities, she builds artistic communities through concert series. She organized a benefit concert for the Canadian Cancer Society and worked at Music on Main, a contemporary and multicultural concert organization, as an intern for marketing and artist relations. Recently, she was a board member of Salon 21, a concert series in Cincinnati, and served as the CCM MTNA Event Coordinator now she is working at Frances Clark Center helping with websites and translating course contents into Korean.


Currently, she working as a Coordinator of Accompanying at the University of Akron.

Wooden Piano

Projects

Exploring Diverse Repertoire and Teaching Methods

Piano Sonatas by Twentieth Century Soviet Female Composers

Piano Sonatas by Sofia Gubaidulina and Galina Ustvolskaya

MTNA e-journal February 2023


Published DMA Document on "Recovering the Piano Works of Galina Ustvolskaya: Sidelined Perceptions of Female Composers and the Repressive Soviet Regime" 

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Repertoire List

Solo Concertos

Mozart Concerto in A major K.414/385p

Mozart Concerto in D-minor K.488

Mozart Concerto in C-major K.503 

Chopin concerto in E minor No.1 Op.11 in e minor 

Rachmaninoff concerto No.2 op.18

Beethoven concerto No.3, Op.37

Beethoven concerto No.4, Op.58

Beethoven Concerto No.5, Op.73

Solo Works

My solo repertoire covers from Baroque to Contemporary Music. Please check following document

Collaborative Piano

I have been working as a collaborative pianist for a long time in different universities, including the University of Akron, North Kentucky University, the College-Conservatory of Music, and McGill University. Check the repertoire

Musical Notes

Teaching Studio

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Collaboration

As an experienced musician, Helena Hyesoo Kim is able to offer clients a wide range of services, including professional Recording Sessions. Whatever your musical needs and requirements, you can count on Helena Hyesoo Kim to get the job done in the most efficient way. Get a taste of the Helena Hyesoo Kim sound, and feel free to get in touch to schedule a personal meeting.

Sheet Music

Interdisciplinary Projects

Helena Hyesoo Kim loves collaborating with other musicians as well as performing solo for individuals. If you’re looking for a top musician who will be a pleasure to work with on Music Arrangements, look no further. Whatever your musical need, Helena Hyesoo Kim is here to make sure yours are met in the most professional way.

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Live Performances

You can rest assured knowing that you’ve found a top musician to work with. With an ability to bring a distinctive sound to every project they work on, you’ll love working with Helena Hyesoo Kim. If you’re looking for a professional musician to collaborate as part of your Live Performances, feel free to get in touch.

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