Student Testimonials
“Dr. Kim helped me immensely in developing basic skills and concepts that are needed for any violinist or violist to learn. She has an incredible passion for teaching that is reflected by her fun and enthusiastic lessons which were always valuable and enjoyable. She taught me important practice strategies and gave me the tools to advance my own technique in the practice room. Dr. Kim has been an integral part in shaping me into the musician I am today and I am so grateful of everything that she has taught me.”
— Jisang Kymm, Juilliard Pre-College
“From the moment I stepped into Ms. Jiwon’s studio, it was abundantly clear that her passion for teaching transcends most. Her unwavering commitment to nurture not just musicianship and the music itself, but a deep understanding and appreciation for the art of violin playing as a whole. Ms. Jiwon’s dedication to her craft is unmatched. What sets Ms. Jiwon apart is her ability to effortlessly blend technical work with artistic expression. Her unwavering dedication to her students as well as her time and effort into understanding each student's unique learning style and tailors her teaching approach accordingly is simply remarkable. Under Ms. Jiwon's tutelage, I have not only grown as a violinist but as a lover of music. She has ignited a passion within me that continues to inspire and uplift me on my musical journey. For that, I am eternally grateful.”
— Sean Kim, Plano High School
“I’ve worked with Ms. Kim for around eight years and have learned so much from her. Not only have I been able to achieve so much in my violin and viola career, but I have learned how to deal with the stress and mental toll of participating in the competitive side of classical music. I think Ms. Kim’s teaching is special because of her great knowledge in music but also that way she cares for her students. She always goes above and beyond to care for her students and do her best to make their dreams come true!”
— Dana Chung, Juilliard Pre-College
“Dr Jiwon always teaches with love and patience. She focuses on developing good long term playing habits that lead to understanding and appreciation of music; when I was younger, I did not appreciate this but now that I’m a more mature player, I see how important this is. Her commitment to teaching is evident in her preparedness for each lesson. Under her dedicated guidance, I’ve developed both technically and artistically from a beginner player to a confident Juilliard PreCollege violin student. Most importantly, she has taught me to practice with high standards and love music. I think a teacher like Dr Jiwon - with her extensive educational knowledge and teaching experience and complete kindness and dedication to teaching - is rare. I’m very lucky to call her my teacher.”
— Poppy Song, Juilliard Pre-College
“Ms. Jiwon helped build my confidence as a musician through clear and thoughtful guidance, teaching me at my own individual pace. Under her tutelage, I developed many skills and a better understanding of myself. Ms. Jiwon is not only a fantastic violin/viola instructor but also a lovely person, and I deeply appreciate the time and care she put into my musicianship and personhood.”
— Hannah Yeh, Cornell University
“Throughout my nearly 20 years of receiving private lessons, I’ve had my fair share of teachers, but Ms. Kim has amazed me with her incredible passion for music and students. She is a mentor for me in that each lesson, I always feel like there is something to learn from wealth of knowledge she has gathered over decades of experience; and yet she equally feels like an advocate who is supporting me by my side, celebrating every victory while compassionately offering me advice on areas I can improve. Ms. Kim has an unexplainable way of making me feel so supported as a student and giving me the desire to excel each lesson.”
“Jiwon has changed my life for the better - she’s given me so much confidence in my playing and has motivated me to work harder. She cares for her students in ways beyond words, always taking time out of her schedule to help them. Getting into Juilliard Pre-College has always been a childhood dream for me. Jiwon helped me to reach this goal, straight out of my wildest fantasies. She is such an inspiration to me, as the most devoted and hardworking person I know. I always looked forward to our lessons, to hear her insightful feedback and creative analogies. She’s warm and lighthearted, always teaching with patience and gentleness. She’s helped me to transform into a completely different musician, and I am so grateful for all that she has done for me!”
— Isabelle Son, Juilliard Pre-College
“I have been studying with Dr. Jiwon Kim for the past five years. She has changed me, and I would not be where I am today without her guidance. These past five years have been a wonderful experience, and I can state with certainty that she is one of the most compassionate and caring people I have ever studied with. She gave me the assurance that I could accomplish big things with my music and she ignited my desire for growth and the desire to take the next step. She offered me musical independence and taught me how to put my own parts together to create something that is uniquely mine. She helped me to love the learning process, and I am very appreciative to have a teacher that offers this level of assistance.”
— Victor Hsu, Juilliard Pre-College
“I have utmost respect for Dr. Jiwon Kim who has wholeheartedly carried me throughout my musical journey with her expertise, encouragement, and support. Throughout my five years of study with Dr. Jiwon Kim, I have been grateful for her dedication to my growth. It was the first time I received such detailed feedback on my playing – I came out of every lesson paying profound attention to intonation, the shape of my left hand, and the weight of the right arm, along with a more clear vision of what I needed to bring into the practice room. She helped me immensely improve my technique and viola playing, but also my interpretation skills and musical knowledge. Her guidance pushed me to dive deeper into understanding the music in front of me, rather than simply the notes on the page. Specifically, she gave me direction for thinking artistically and creatively about different phrases, and further helped me express my musical visions with specific techniques – all of this advice has reflected on how I play today. Apart from her immense musical knowledge and skill, Dr. Jiwon Kim is incredibly personable, patient, and empathetic. Her unwavering support and positivity, especially in moments when I started to doubt my abilities, have helped me improve my playing as a more confident and mature player. She constantly grounded me to think about my practice and professional goals, all while reminding me of the power of music to bring people of different backgrounds together. In this same way, she has pushed and encouraged me to improve while teaching me life skills along the way. Dr. Jiwon Kim has been an incredible teacher, mentor, and inspiration who has expanded both my understanding of and love for music.”
— Annette Kim, Yale University
“I’ve been Ms. Kim’s student for 4 years now and she has been the most supportive teacher. Thanks to her, I was able to meet her amazing professor who helped me get into the Juilliard Pre-College. Throughout the whole audition process, Ms. Kim provided reassurance and motivation for me. From recordings, to extra lessons, and studio classes, she’s always found ways to make me and her students better musicians. She’s taught me so much and working with her is always a lot of fun.”
— Semin Chun, Juilliard Pre-College