David Kim has served as Concertmaster of The Philadelphia Orchestra since 1999, a role that has allowed him to combine his passion for orchestral leadership, solo performance, and mentoring the next generation of musicians. Born in Carbondale, Illinois, in 1963, David began playing the violin at the age of three. By eight, he was studying with the legendary teacher Dorothy DeLay, and he later earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from The Juilliard School.
In addition to solo performances across North America each season, David has always found great joy in teaching and mentoring young musicians. He serves as Distinguished Artist at Mercer University’s Robert McDuffie Center for Strings and on the summer faculties of the Aspen Music Festival and School and the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara.
This season, he will also undertake two teaching residencies at the New World Symphony—America’s Orchestral Academy—in Miami. He regularly gives masterclasses at leading institutions around the world, including Curtis, Juilliard, the Shanghai Conservatory, Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, and the Australian National Academy of Music in Melbourne.
Each summer, David serves as concertmaster of the Mainly Mozart Festival All-Star Orchestra in San Diego, performing alongside many of North America’s leading concertmasters and principal players. He also serves as a jury member for major international competitions, including the Menuhin and Sarasate.
Beyond the concert stage, David continues to appear as concertmaster of the nine-time Emmy Award-winning All-Star Orchestra, broadcast on PBS and available through Khan Academy. In 2022, he published his first book, The Audition Method for Violin (GIA Publications), a practical guide that shares his insights on orchestral excerpts, audition preparation, bowings, fingerings, and performance strategy.
One of the most meaningful aspects of David’s career has been collaborating with artists whose music inspires and encourages others. He has frequently performed with modern hymn writers Keith and Kristyn Getty at venues including the Grand Ole Opry House, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and Carnegie Hall. He also enjoys participating in events each season with organizations such as The Gathering, Illuminations, Missionary Athletes International, and YoungLife.
David has received honorary doctorates from Eastern University, the University of Rhode Island, and Dickinson College. He performs on a c. 1757 J.B. Guadagnini violin, generously on loan from The Philadelphia Orchestra, as well as a c. 1735 Francesco Gofriller violin. He is proud to perform exclusively on and endorse Larsen Strings of Denmark.
When he’s away from the violin, David enjoys archery deer hunting, clamming in the ocean, and spending time on the golf course.