Classically trained.
Professionally active.
Deeply committed.
Bachelor of Music and Master of Music in Piano Performance from The Juilliard School
Collaborative pianist and educator for students of all ages and levels
Freelance pianist for concerts, weddings, funerals, and special events
Serving students and musicians throughout New Jersey and the greater metropolitan area
Korean-born pianist Mi-Young Kim grew up in Philadelphia, where her early musical training included studies with Annie Petit at the Jenkintown Music School. She later attended The Juilliard School in New York, earning both bachelor's and master's degrees in piano performance as a student of Seymour Lipkinand receiving the William Petschek Scholarship. Her studies at Juilliard also included chamber music with William Lincer and Harvey Shapiro and collaborative piano with Margo Garrett and Marshall Williamson, experiences that helped shape a musical life extending well beyond solo performance.
For nearly four decades, Ms. Kim has pursued a multifaceted career as a pianist, teacher, collaborative musician, chamber music coach, church musician, and music educator. Her professional life has developed across many different settings—from private studios and schools to churches, choirs, chamber ensembles, recitals, auditions, competitions, and other collaborative performances. Throughout those years, teaching and collaborative music-making have remained central to her work.
While raising three daughters with her husband, Ms. Kim balanced family life with an active career in music and education. Her work has included private piano teaching, collaborative piano, chamber music coaching, church music, choral work, and school music direction, allowing her to work with students and musicians of many ages and levels and in a wide variety of musical settings.
She served as Music Director at Cornerstone Christian School in East Brunswick, New Jersey, before relocating with her family to the Chicago area. During eight years in Chicago, she continued to teach piano, perform as a collaborative pianist, and coach chamber music. She also became active in the local music-teaching community through the Northwest Suburban Music Teachers Association.
Her years in Chicago included extensive work at the Korean Church of Chicago, where she served as church pianist and directed the children's choir. She also taught at the Korean Church of Chicago Music Conservatory and later served as its Artistic Director. These overlapping roles brought together many aspects of her musical background—performance, teaching, accompaniment, ensemble work, administration, and musical leadership.
After returning to New Jersey, Ms. Kim continued her work in music education as accompanist and piano teacher for the Trenton Children's Chorus. She has remained active as a collaborative pianist and church musician while developing and maintaining a private piano studio, working with students on musical development, repertoire, technique, performance preparation, and long-term growth.
Collaborative piano continues to be an important part of her professional life. Over the years, Ms. Kim has worked with instrumentalists and singers in rehearsals, performances, auditions, competitions, recordings, recitals, and other musical projects. Her background in chamber music and collaborative piano, combined with decades of teaching experience, has allowed these different areas of her work to continually inform one another.
Teaching has likewise remained a constant throughout her career. Her experience as a performer, accompanist, chamber musician, church musician, music director, and parent has given her a broad perspective on the many ways students learn and develop over time. Her private studio reflects that accumulated experience, combining careful musical and technical training with attention to each student's individual development.
Beyond her own teaching and performing, Ms. Kim has remained involved in the wider music community throughout her career. During her years in Illinois, she served in leadership roles with the Northwest Suburban Music Teachers Association. She is currently a member of the Board of the New Jersey Music Teachers Association, continuing her involvement in professional music education and the community of independent music teachers.
Her musical life has never been limited to one role. Across nearly four decades, she has moved between teaching and performing, accompanying and coaching, directing and organizing, church and school settings, professional work and family life. Those experiences continue to shape her work today as a pianist, teacher, collaborative musician, and member of the larger music-teaching community.
Away from the piano, Ms. Kim enjoys cooking, sewing, DIY projects, and whatever new creative project happens to capture her interest.