Claire Kim is a senior at Centreville High School in Virginia. She began playing the violin at the age of eight and has continued to grow her passion for music ever since.

At Centreville, Claire is a member of the school's highest-level Philharmonic Orchestra and Symphony. During both her junior and senior years, she served as the ambassador for the symphony, representing over 120 band and orchestra students. In addition to her involvement at school, Claire has been a dedicated member of The Capital Symphony Youth Orchestra (TCSYO) for seven years. She spent three of those years performing in the highest-level Symphonic Orchestra.

Claire’s musical accomplishments include performing as a soloist at Carnegie Hall in 2020 after placing in the Elite International Music Competition. Her talent and leadership have led her to be invited to perform at various school events, including sports games and pep rallies. Through her chamber ensemble, she has performed at choir and theatrical showcases and local retirement homes as part of her work with the Tri-M Music Honor Society. Claire was also honored with the Music Honor Award by her school’s music department and directors, selected from among all students in the orchestra program.

One of Claire’s greatest passions is sharing her love for music with others through service and leadership. As Director of Event Planning on the Orchestra Board and former Stage Crew Manager, she has helped strengthen the music community at her school. She organized Senior Night, an annual celebration honoring over 60 music students and their families. She also coordinated more than 17 concerts and managed the stage layout and logistics for a 120-student symphony performing at the Virginia Music Education Association concert, ensuring that every event ran smoothly behind the scenes.