First Violin
Esther Kim is a Korean-born Scottish violinist. At the age of nine, she was a prize winner of the Kocian International Violin Competition and the George Enescu International Violin Competition.
In 2015, she graduated from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama with First Class Honours, having studied with David Takeno, and was awarded the Donald Weekes Memorial Prize for the highest final recital mark. In the summer of 2017, she completed her Master's degree with So-Ock Kim at the Royal Academy of Music with Distinction and was awarded the Diploma RAM for her outstanding postgraduate recital.
Before joining the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, she was on trial with the London Symphony Orchestra and as a principal for the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. She also plays regularly with the Scottish Chamber and BBC Symphony orchestras, and recently guest-led the Sonore Orchestra, accompanying Jack Liebeck.
Esther gratefully acknowledges the support of her Chair Partners, John and Mary Watt.