Concertmaster · Pacific Symphony

Dennis Kim

Concertmaster of Pacific Symphony, Eleanor and Michael Gordon Chair. Previously concertmaster of the Hong Kong, Seoul, Tampere and Buffalo Philharmonics.

Photograph by NaYoung Lee

Introduction

Concertmaster to orchestras on four continents.

First appointed a concertmaster at twenty-two, Dennis Kim has since led the Hong Kong Philharmonic — the youngest in that orchestra's history — the Seoul Philharmonic, the Tampere Philharmonic in Finland, and the Buffalo Philharmonic. Since 2018 he has been Concertmaster of Pacific Symphony, where he holds the Eleanor and Michael Gordon Chair.

He has appeared as guest concertmaster on four continents, with ensembles including the BBC Symphony, the London Philharmonic and the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic, and has worked with Riccardo Chailly, Charles Dutoit, Riccardo Muti, André Previn and Sir Simon Rattle.

Age at his first concertmaster appointment

Continents on which he has served as guest concertmaster

Orchestras where his former students now play

For the screen

Also heard on the scoring stage.

Alongside the season, Dennis Kim records for film and television in Los Angeles, working with composers including John Williams, John Powell and Alan Menken.

Minions & Monsters

John Powell · 2026

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

John Williams

Moana 2

Walt Disney Animation

and many more →

Chamber music

Trio Barclay.

With cellist Jonah Kim and pianist Sean Kennard, the resident ensemble of the Irvine Barclay Theatre, whose album Beyond the Pacific was released on Orchid Classics in 2026.

Performance →

Dennis Kim, centre, taking a bow with Trio Barclay — Trio Barclay — Irvine Barclay Theatre

Biography → Seoul to Toronto, Curtis and Yale, and a career that has crossed four continents. Performance → Concertmaster posts, solo appearances, Trio Barclay, and work for the screen. Studio → A studio at UC Irvine and Interlochen, and students now placed across the globe.