Brandon Kim, age 17, is a senior at Oakton High School in Virginia. He began his musical journey with Suzuki piano before being introduced to the cello at age seven.

Music has given Brandon new perspectives on life while allowing him to make new friends and collaborate with other musicians. Most recently, he attended the Bowdoin International Music Festival at Bowdoin College, where he had the opportunity to study chamber and solo music with world-class faculty and musicians.

Brandon has won first prizes in the Northern Virginia Music Teachers Association (NVMTA) Concerto Competition, NVMTA Achievement Awards, Metropolitan Music Festival, and the Elite International Music Competition. He has been invited to perform at Weill Recital Hall in Carnegie Hall as a soloist and as part of a Trio in 2022 and 2024. As a first prize winner of the NVMTA Concerto Competition, Brandon was also invited to perform as a soloist with the Amadeus Orchestra in McLean, Virginia in 2023.

Brandon also uses music as a way to serve his community. He has performed for military veterans, nursing home residents, hospital patients, audiences at community centers, and, most importantly, his own family.

Outside of music, Brandon enjoys playing basketball, writing, and competing in debate tournaments.