The Associated Student Body named Anthony Kim (12) Artist of the Month for February. Kim is a violinist and a member of the school’s orchestra and San Diego Youth Symphony Orchestra. The Encinitas Chamber of Commerce also named Kim Rising Star of the Month.
When did you first become interested in playing music?
“I grew up listening to a lot of music, which naturally got me interested in playing.”
Why did you choose to play the violin?
“I chose the violin because I loved how expressive it is and the wide range of sounds it can produce.”
When did you realize you wanted to play in an orchestra outside of TPHS?
“After attending a San Diego Symphony concert, I realized I wanted to play more symphonic repertoire, which led me to join the San Diego Youth Symphony.”
What’s your favorite part about playing in an orchestra?
“Collaborating with musicians from diverse backgrounds while working together toward the shared goal of creating meaningful music.”
What does practicing typically encompass?
“When preparing for competitions or major performances, I practice several hours spaced throughout the day. I also think about the repertoire throughout the day even when I am not actively practicing.”
Do you have a favorite piece that you’ve performed? If so, why was that your favorite piece?
“One of my favorite pieces I’ve performed is the “Sibelius Violin Concerto,” which was accompanied by the MiraCosta Symphony Orchestra. It is widely regarded as one of the most technically demanding works in the violin repertoire, and preparing it helped me grow significantly as a musician.”
What’s the most challenging part of playing an instrument for you and how have you been able to overcome that?
“The most challenging part has been building consistency, discipline, and technical skill over the past ten years. I’ve overcome this by staying committed to regular practice, setting clear goals, and always giving my best.”
What are some of your accomplishments in the TPHS orchestra and the San Diego Youth symphony orchestra?
“For the past 2 years, I’ve led as Concertmaster for our orchestra and the San Diego Youth Symphony.”
Do you have any musicians that have influenced you?
“Yes, violinists like Itzhak Perlman, Ray Chen [and] Augustin Hadelich.”
What emotions do you try to express when you perform and how might you maybe take a different approach to a piece than others?
“The emotions I express really depend on the piece. Having a strong understanding of the musical context and the composer helps shape how I interpret and communicate it.”
How do you stay motivated to keep playing?
“Motivation is temporary … for me it really comes down to discipline, accountability and consistently showing up, especially knowing younger students are looking up to us upperclassmen.”
What’s your process when it comes to learning a piece?
“I focus on understanding the context, time period and the composer’s intent so the interpretation feels as authentic as possible.”
How do you handle mistakes during a performance?
“During performances, mistakes can happen, and I stay focused on moving forward.”
How do you think you’ve grown as a performer and what are some goals for your last year at TPHS?
“I’ve grown to be a better communicator both verbally and nonverbally. My biggest goal for my last year at TPHS is to mentor and lead the underclassmen in our orchestra program so they can continue achieving strong results and overall performance standards.”
