Joowon Kim

Joowon Kim began her music studies on the piano at the age of five and upon immigrating to Canada, she began her cello studies with her aunt, Poong-Ja Kim.

Her decision to become a professional cellist was in part due to the inspiration from her father Sung-Soon Kim, who also studied the cello and was a conductor and composer.  He founded and directed The Toronto Korean Philharmonic in 1982, then The Korean Canadian Symphony Orchestra as well as The Yemel Philharmonic Chorus.

Joowon Kim’s primary teachers include Vladimir Orloff, David Hetherington, Martha Gerschefski, and the late Eleonor Schoenfeld. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Performance from University of Toronto and a Master of Music, with full Dean’s scholarship from University of Southern California. Joowon has held positions in many orchestras, including the Edmonton Symphony and the National Ballet Orchestra.

A winner of numerous awards and competitions, Joowon became a faculty member of the Korean American Institute of Fine Arts in Los Angeles and The Alberta College of Music in Edmonton. Since 1997, Joowon has been a member of the cello faculty at The Oscar Peterson School of Music and The Eli and Phil Taylor Performance Academy for Young Artists where her students are consistent recipients of the Gold and Silver Medal honours in Royal Conservatory Examinations as well as winners of many local, provincial, and national music competitions.

Joowon is also founding director of Cellomania Toronto, a summer music program dedicated to the development of cello technique and performance. Created in 2010, Cellomania Toronto offers a unique environment where young cellists can access masterclasses given by national and international soloists and pedagogues, as well as private lessons, chamber music and large cello ensembles.

A dedicated teacher, Joowon is also an advocate for children on the Autism spectrum and finds inspiration in helping students develop their creativity and passion through lessons and performances.