Date: November 5, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: WPMA Alpharetta Campus, Bldg 310
Admission: FREE for all WPMA student, families, and faculty
Please note that the program and artists are subject to change.
Performed By
James Kim, Cello, Visiting Artist
WPMA Cello Students
About James Kim
Lauded by The New York Times for his “admirable purity of tone and accuracy,” James has appeared as soloist with the Boston Symphony, Royal Philharmonic of London, Wallonie Royal Chamber, and Juilliard Orchestras working with conductors such as David Zinman, Michael Sanderling, Alexander Shelley, Keith Lockhart, Frank Braley, Tan Dun, Julian Kovatchev, and Benjamin Zander onstage at Carnegie Stern Auditorium and Zankel Hall, Boston Symphony Hall, Jordan Hall, and Metropolitan Museum of Art. James has given solo recitals at Carnegie Weill Hall, Seoul Arts Center IBK Hall, Midday Masterpieces Series at the Greene Space, Robert Sherman’s McGraw Hill Young Artist Showcase, Bruce Adolphe’s Garden City Chamber Music Society, Beautiful Thursday Series at Kumho Art Hall, The Class + Series at Shinyoung Chamber Hall, ‘James Kim with Friends’ at Music Space Camerata Paju, and the Tuesday Series at Seoul National University. His performances have been broadcasted on radio stations NPR, WQXR, and KBS. His Carnegie Weill Hall debut in 2013 garnered a rave review from Harris Goldsmith of New York Concert Review.
In his native Korea, James has performed concerti with Daegu, Korean, Gwacheon, and S.O.N.G. Symphonies; Incheon, Daejeon, Goyang, and Wonju Philharmonics; and TIMF and KBS orchestras, engagements which have brought him to Seoul Arts Center, Tongyeong Concert Hall, Daegu Concert House, and Lotte Concert Hall, where he is the first soloist in the hall’s history. A champion of music by Shinuh Lee, James premiered her Cello Concerto in 2021 and released an album of her works dedicated to him, Death and Offering, through Sony Classical in the same year. He is represented in Korea by Music & Art Company.
In 2025, James joined pianist Liza Stepanova and violinist Itamar Zorman as cellist of the Lysander Piano Trio. Other collaborations include Ensemble DITTO and Sejong Soloists, with whom he has toured performing J.S. Bach’s Goldberg Variations arranged for string trio (D. Sitkovetsky). He also served as guest principal cellist of Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra in 2022. He has performed at Bard, Highlands-Cashiers, Vale Veneto Winter, and Incheon Hic et Nunc Music Festivals.
James currently serves as Assistant Professor of Cello at University of Georgia’s Hugh Hodgson School of Music. Under his tutelage, Kim’s private students have won top prizes at major international cello competitions, including the Geneva, Isang Yun, Georges Enescu, Schoenfeld, and David Popper. He has given masterclasses and lectures at Manhattan School of Music, University of New Mexico, and Seoul National University’s College of Music. His co-edition of Pietro Locatelli’s Sonata in D Major published by International Music Company provides his technical guidance in its preface.
James is a recipient of the 2012 Salon de Virtuosi’s Sony Career Grant and a top prizewinner of the 2006 David Popper, 2015 Isang Yun, and 2024 Naumburg International Cello Competitions. From 2016 to 2021, he performed on a Matteo Goffriller cello from Venice ca. 1715, generously loaned by Samsung Cultural Foundation and Stradivari Society® of Chicago, Illinois. He holds an Artist Diploma from The Juilliard School, where he served as Teaching Assistant to Joel Krosnick, and a Doctor of Musical Arts from Manhattan School of Music. He is a pupil of Susan Moses, János Starker, Laurence Lesser, Aldo Parisot, Joel Krosnick, and Philippe Muller. He also participated in masterclasses with Jian Wang, Yo-Yo Ma, David Geringas, Frans Helmerson, and Miklós Perényi.
Masterclasses at WPMA
Masterclasses at WPMA play an important role in how our students learn and grow as musicians. They give students the chance to perform, receive thoughtful feedback from experienced artists, and hear new ideas that often spark real breakthroughs in their playing, while audience members benefit from listening closely and learning alongside them. These sessions create a shared learning environment that encourages curiosity, reflection, and inspiration across all levels. WPMA is committed to creating meaningful masterclass experiences to Atlanta so young musicians can learn from outstanding artists right here in Atlanta, GA. Learn more about past artists and WPMA’s masterclass series at https://wpmusicacademy.com/performance/guest-artist-masterclasses/.
About William Pu Music Academy
The William Pu Music Academy is a private, award-winning, conservatory-style music academy in Atlanta. WPMA offers music education programming taught by the finest musicians and pedagogues in all of Georgia. In addition to taking 1-on-1 instrument lessons with highly-trained faculty, students at WPMA study music theory & sight-reading, participate in monthly recitals, studio classes, masterclasses with guest artists, and perform in chamber and orchestra ensembles. Academy students receive a rich and comprehensive music education, supported by a dedicated faculty. In this environment distinguished by its community and learning opportunities, WPMA students frequently compete and succeed in state and nation-wide auditions. Learn more about WPMA and previous student achievements at wpmusicacademy.com.
