Helen Kim was prasied as “astoundingly gifted” by the San Francisco Chronicle with a versatile career as a performer and an educator. Helen talks with us about her journey towards playing violin and the first time she heard John Adams’ Violin Concerto, on which she will make her California Symphony debut during BEETHOVEN’S SECOND.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I was born in Korea but spent most of my childhood in Reno, Nevada. Music was a part of my life, but I wasn’t always focused on violin. I began my musical journey on piano, played oboe briefly in middle school, and even spent some time in the percussion section in high school “band camp”! Back then, music was more about the social aspect than anything else—I just wanted to hang out with my friends.
It wasn’t until college that I truly fell in love with the violin. That’s when I discovered the orchestral repertoire that still inspires me today. I remember being captivated by pieces like Mahler’s Symphony No. 1, Prokofiev’s “Classical” Symphony, and Mozart’s “Jupiter” Symphony—works that left a lasting impression and steered me toward a career in orchestra.
I currently play in the Seattle Symphony. I have the most incredible colleagues, and we have so much fun together onstage and off!
What excites you most about this program or piece?
It’s a pleasure to be playing with the California Symphony for the very first time. I’ve worked with Donato before, and he is a wonderful collaborator. I’m especially looking forward to playing the Adams Violin Concerto – I still remember the first time I heard it. I was driving home from a party in college and caught the third movement on the radio. I’d never heard the piece before, and I actually stayed in the car after I’d parked to finish it because I needed to find out what it was! It’s such a gem in the repertoire, and I’m thrilled to have an opportunity to play it for the first time.
What makes this performance unique for you?
I lived in Berkeley when I played in the San Francisco Symphony, and I have family here. Coming out for this week’s performances feels like coming home!
Do you have any pre-concert rituals or habits?
I don’t have any pre-concert rituals. When most people think of a soloist preparing for a concert, they probably envision someone meditating or warming up in a dressing room. You’d be surprised at how chaotic my pre-concert hours are. I’ll probably shove my concert dress into a Trader Joe’s bag as our three-year-old clings to my leg, forget my heels, eat a sandwich in the car, put on makeup at stoplights, park illegally somewhere, and run into the venue with ketchup on my face.
Helen Kim performs John Adams’ Violin Concerto at BEETHOVEN’S SECOND, Saturday, March 13 at 7:30 PM and Sunday, March 14 at 4 PM at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek. Tickets are $50 to $110 and $25 for students 25 and under, and include a free 30-minute pre-concert talk starting one hour before the performance. Buy tickets online or call or visit the Lesher Center Ticket Office at (925)943-7469, Wednesdays through Sundays, 12:00PM to 6:00PM.
