-
Dr. Jinhyun Kim, cello
Jinhyun Kim is a celebrated cellist from South Korea, renowned for her exceptional artistry and dynamic performances. She holds the prestigious role of Principal Cellist with the Lansing Symphony Orchestra, Assistant Principal Cellist with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, and is a core cellist with the Jackson Symphony Orchestra. In addition to her regular positions, Jinhyun is a guest musician with both the Detroit Opera and Detroit Symphony Orchestra, showcasing her versatility and adaptability across diverse musical settings. She is also a core member of ConTempus Initiative, a prominent new music ensemble based in mid-Michigan.
Beyond her performance career, Jinhyun is deeply committed to music education. She serves as an Adjunct Professor of Cello at Albion College, Oakland University, and Spring Arbor University, and is also a dedicated cello faculty member at the Flint School of Performing Arts. Jinhyun is a registered Suzuki teacher and a member of the American String Teachers Association. Her extensive experience includes serving on audition and competition panels for both student and professional orchestras, where she offers valuable insights to nurture emerging talent.
In addition to her performance and teaching career, Jinhyun is active in the academic field as a presenter and researcher. In November 2025, she was invited to present at the College Music Society National Conference with her ensemble, the ConTempus Quartet, where they presented a lecture titled Rediscovering Fernande Decruck: Expanding the String Quartet Canon. In January 2026, she was also an invited presenter at the Michigan Music Conference, where she gave a session titled Perfecting the Pluck: Essential Pizzicato Techniques for Ensemble Success.
Jinhyun's musical journey began at the age of eight, laying the foundation for a remarkable career. She earned her Bachelor of Music degree at Ewha Womans University in South Korea. Her quest for excellence led her to Michigan State University, where she completed both her Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees. During her time at MSU, she served as a graduate teaching assistant while earning recognition through esteemed awards and grants.
Jinhyun's recent performance highlights include a celebrated solo appearance with the Livingston Symphony Orchestra, where she performed as a concerto soloist to great acclaim. She marked an early milestone with a debut recital at Kumho Art Hall in Seoul, Korea, in 2011. Notably, she had the privilege of participating in a master class with celebrated cellist Yo-Yo Ma at the Fairchild Theater at MSU in November 2013. Her musical prowess was further showcased when she won the Michigan State University Honors Competition, leading to a concerto performance with the MSU Symphony Orchestra at the Wharton Center in March 2014.
Jinhyun's musical journey has also taken her to the iconic Carnegie Hall in New York, where she performed twice: at the American Protégé International Piano and Strings Competition Winners Recital in 2016 and at the First Prize Winners Concert of the 2019 Golden Classical Music Awards. A remarkable chapter in her career unfolded at the National Orchestral Institute Festival in 2016 at the University of Maryland, where she had the privilege of collaborating with distinguished conductors such as James Ross, Teddy Abrams, and Osmo Vänskä.