The University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance announces that Yeonjin Kim will join the Department of Strings as an assistant professor in August 2026. Kim, a cellist, has received international acclaim as a soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician.
“I’m incredibly excited to return to my alma mater, which shaped me both personally and professionally,” shared Kim. “I look forward to giving back by sharing my experiences with the next generation. Go Blue!”
Kim has performed at major venues including the Kennedy Center, Konzerthaus Berlin, Berlin Philharmonie, Seoul Arts Center, and Suntory Hall, and as a soloist with orchestras in Cleveland, Ann Arbor, Colorado, Seoul, Tianjin, and Manila. Her concerts have been broadcast on television and radio across the United States, Korea, China, and Japan.
She has been a top prizewinner in several international competitions, including the Sorantin International Competition, Dichler-Sato International Competition, Viva Hall Competition, and the Korea Philharmonic Orchestra Competition. Her solo recording of Max Reger’s Three Suites for Cello Solo has been praised for its depth and expressive power. An avid chamber musician, Kim has also collaborated with numerous world-renowned artists and performs regularly with her sisters as part of Trio K.
Kim has taught and mentored students from around the world, drawing on her extensive experience across Korea, the United States, China, and Japan. She has served on the faculty of the Tianjin Juilliard School and has held teaching appointments at the University of Michigan, Oberlin Conservatory, and Furman University. She has presented master classes at leading institutions such as the Juilliard School, Korean National University of Arts, Liszt Academy, YST Conservatory, Taipei National University of the Arts, and the Shanghai Conservatory. Many of her students have gone on to win international competitions and secure positions in leading orchestras and institutions.
“We are so delighted to have Professor Yeonjin Kim join our faculty and carry on the tradition of the finest in cello performance,” said David Halen, professor and chair of strings. “The students are extremely fortunate to have someone of her caliber, and we await her arrival with great anticipation!”
A graduate of Seoul National University, Kim earned her orchestra certificate from Toho Gakuen in Japan, her MM from the Cleveland Institute of Music, and her DMA from the University of Michigan.