James
Madison Kim, the youngest member of the Kim musical
family, was born in 1989, three years after his brother Matthew.
Like his brother, James's musical life also began very early, at the age of
three. He began studying the piano with his mother Judith
Jeon (soprano and writer) and father
Paul
Kim (pianist and professor), but at times
also with his brother. His musical versatility covers a wide range of styles
and genres including classical, pop, broadway, and jazz. Thus it was a natural
transition for James to further embrace another main instrument: the clarinet.
However, it is the piano, above other instruments, that has been the closest
to him.
In recent years, James has teamed up with his father and brother to establish Paul Kim & Sons, the world's first and unique father-and-sons trio pianists. Among the highlights of past seasons was the major concert tour of Asia, which was widely acclaimed. In addition to concert performances throughout the United States, Canada and Europe, they have also made numerous radio and television appearances including CNN-Arirang interview and an animated film documentary Joyous Life: A Day in the Life of Paul Kim & Sons, Trio Pianists. Among the full-length newspaper and magazine articles James has been featured in include The International Herald Tribune, Chosun Arts, and Auditorium.
In his academic life, James has also maintained an impressive track of achievements. Beginning in the first grade, James was recognized as an intellectually gifted child, being selected over a competing field of more than three hundred candidates as the only student accepted that year into the New York City Board of Education's prestigious Gifted Magnet Program. James has continually distinguished himself with numerous top awards and honors including the National Language Arts Competition, Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth's English and Mathematics Award, The OCA Essay Award, among others. Of particular note was James being awarded a silver medal in the New York State Science Olympiad, as his brother Matthew won gold medals in the respective events in the same year—a truly rare achievement by siblings in the history of that competition.
A graduate of one of the most prestigious specialized high schools in the nation, Stuyvesant High School in New York City, James has pursued his passion of journalism as an editor for the school's official newspaper, The Spectator, and has also held the position of Editor-in-Chief of Stuyvesant's Student Union Newsletter. In addition James served on the Presidential Council of the National Honor Society and was an active member in the Big Sibs mentoring program. James has excelled in the arena of stage musicals, having led the production of SING! 2005 and 2007 as the music director. Among his other activities included performing with the N.Y.C. All-City Music organization, whose membership comprises the best young musicians in the city. He is also an avid athlete whose competitive activities include hockey and ultimate frisbee.
Additionally, James holds personal interest in matters of social justice, environmental issues, and constitutional law. His efforts in social advocacy have led to various charitable and benefit concerts that he has performed on behalf of various 9/11 memorial events, Coalition for the Homeless, Bowery Mission, among others. Currently James is studying at Dartmouth College.
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