About Jonah

Jonah Kim is an artist of great charisma and originality. His tone is immediately distinguishable by its signature sweetness. His work is praised by critics and fellow musicians alike for his “flawless delivery of Herculean technical demands” (The Strad) and his thorough understanding and insight into the minds of composers. Aside from his cellistic prowess, he is widely regarded as one of the finest musicians in the world today. The Korean International Arts Review called him “Pablo Casals reincarnate”.

From a young age, legendary cellist Janos Starker placed him at the “top of his generation”. At only 12 years of age, Jonah made his solo debut with Wolfgang Sawallisch and the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Washington Post hailed him as “the next Yo-Yo Ma” at his National Symphony debut. He has since performed on the world’s most prestigious stages.

Jonah’s new album Approaching Autumn, is his second for the Delos label. It is titled after the new American work by Mark Abel, bridging behemoths, the Kodály Solo and the Grieg sonatas. Kim is joined by Robert Koenig on the piano.

In 2020, Jonah founded Trio Barclay with childhood friends Sean Kennard and Dennis Kim, ensemble-in-residence at the Barclay Theatre in Orange County. In 2024, Jonah was named artistic director of the Music Society of San Miguel, and he is founder and director of the San Francisco Music Festival.

Born in Seoul, South Korea, Jonah trained at The Juilliard School and the Curtis Institute of Music. He makes his home in San Francisco with his wife, American ballerina Julia Rowe.

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