Matthew Kim

Associate Orchestra Concerto Competition Winner

Matthew S. Kim, 16, is a junior at Sacred Heart Preparatory School, Atherton.  He started clarinet at the age of nine.  Matthew has played with the California Youth Symphony for 6 years, most currently as first clarinet in the Associate Orchestra. In February 2016 and 2017, Matthew also performed with the California All State Honor Concert Band, as first clarinet. 

Matthew has competed as a soloist and as part of a trio in various competitions.  As a soloist, he won Grand Prize in the Silicon Valley Youth Music Competition, first place in the Golden Classical Music competition in New York, and 2nd place in the US. Open Music completion. As part of a trio, he won various awards at the US International Music competition, Santa Cruz competition, and American Protege competition. Matthew has been honored with invitations to perform in Vienna, Austria and at Carnegie Hall in New York.  Matthew studies clarinet under Debra Gardner.

In addition to school and music, Matthew devotes much time to community service.  During the summer, he serves as a camp counselor for Bridge, a summer program for underprivileged students. Year round, he volunteers to prepare and serve food to the homeless in San Jose.  For the past three years, Matthew has also volunteered his time to perform with various charitable music programs, including KAMSA and Nanoom.  In 2019, Matthew co-founded a non-profit organization called Spark, gathering accomplished young musicians to perform recitals, with all proceeds being used to purchase truckloads of food that are donated to students of elementary schools in underprivileged districts.   

Matthew is also an avid lacrosse player, playing the Attack position on the Sacred Heart Prep team and the ADVNC and NorCal Elite travel teams.