JAE Y. KIM ’05

When rehearsing with others for an Arts First piece or a chamber music performance, violinist Jae Y. Kim ’05 is usually the one to get the music from the library. Known for both his talent and his good-natured dedication to the music, the Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra (HRO) co-concertmaster has become a fixture of the orchestral music scene during his four years at Harvard.

Last year, Kim won the HRO’s prestigious concerto competition for his performance of “The Sibelius Violin Concerto,” further enhancing his already sterling reputation.

However, his strongest impact in classical music at Harvard has been, arguably, his influence on his peers.

“He has a certain persona,” says Kim’s blockmate and longtime performance partner Alison B. Miller ’05. “He’s a really friendly and lovable guy, but he can say ‘Guys, you need to practice that part,’ and people will take him really seriously.”

Anicia C. Timberlake ’05, another of Kim’s orchestral partners and blockmates, says she is constantly impressed by Kim’s deep knowledge of the music.

“If you’re just sitting around playing something he’ll come right in on the cello part or the viola part—even though he plays violin,” she says. “He pays attention to other people’s parts and always knows the music better than anyone else.”

“After half a rehearsal he’ll know exactly where every part comes in, where the key changes are. It’s amazing that he can know so much about a piece beyond his own particular part,” Miller says. “I don’t think that’s learned—I think it’s unique.”

Kim attributes his skills to a substantive musical education. Like many accomplished classical musicians, he got his start at a very young age, picking up the violin when he was less than four years old.

Kim’s friends describe him as a musical omnivore with wide-ranging tastes. In particular, he has an encyclopedic knowledge of rap lyrics.

“He knows more about rap than any person I know. He’s usually the one who makes playlists for parties,” Timberlake says.

Kim, a chemistry concentrator, is set on med school—but he says that the quality of the classical music scene will be a big factor in his choice of school. He will miss HRO.

“HRO is above the caliber of a lot of the community orchestras out there,” he says. “The stress level isn’t as high as it might be…we do it because we love music.”