My Background
Born and raised in South Korea, Mrs. Lim was introduced to piano at the age of 3, but her early training was more casual and relaxed. Piano lessons were given on and off until she became 11, and with so many other interests in mind, Mrs. Lim stopped taking lessons at all when she was 13. Then, when she went to a high school and thought more seriously about her future, the passion and love for music returned to her, and in her sophomore year at high school, the decision to be a professional musician surprised her parents, who supported her fully even when they concerned about the possibility.
Long story short, Mrs. Lim came to the United States to pursue graduate degrees after getting her bachelor’s degree at Sook-Myung Women’s University in Seoul, South Korea. She received her master’s degree in Piano Performance at the Univ. of MI – Ann Arbor in 3 semesters, with numerous scholarships and assistantships, and moved to New Jersey for DMA program at Rutgers University. While in the doctoral program, she served as a piano faculty at Rutgers Extension Division and a distinguished accompanist for a Children’s choir, end-of-semester recitals, and many of summer music camps. Upon graduation after 3.5 years of intense studying, Dr. Lim was selected as the only recipient of the prestigious Irene Elm award for her excellent research and performance. She made her orchestral debut in Vienna with the Vienna Int’l Orchestra in 2010, and staged at Carnegie Weill Hall in winter, 2012, at Debussy’s 150 th Anniversary Celebration concert. As a winner of concerto competitions, she performed with the South Orange Symphony Orchestra in 2011 and the Rutgers Symphony Orchestra in 2012. In summer 2013, she served at Castleton Music Festival as a staff pianist for Opera singers, played many concerts during the festival, and in 2012 she also joined a summer music program ‘Rutgers in Vienna’ as an accompanist. In 2018, she was invited to perform a duo concert with Dr. Raul Garcia at an annual Int’l piano festival (XXXV Festival Internacional de Piano) gala concert at Bucaramanga, and a music festival (XXIII Festival de Música Ciudad de Cucuta) in Cucuta, Colombia. Dr. Lim is currently working as a staff pianist at Rutgers University, a church music director, and a piano teacher. She is also a RCM certified teacher, and a member of Music Educators Association of NJ (mea-nj.org), Music Teachers National Association (mtna.org), and NJ Music Teachers Association, Inc. (njmta.com).
Recent Career History
Rutgers Staff Pianist
During the school year, I help and work with music major college students at their lessons and recitals. In Spring 2023, I had 2 undergraduate senior recitals and 1 doctoral degree recital to perform. I also work closely with the Voice Department and play at their performance classes every semester as well as for the live auditions in wintertime.
HCODC Spring Concert
HCODC is a non-profit organization that is founded in Highland Park, NJ. I had a contract in 2022 and 2023 to play for their spiring double-bill opera concerts as a keyboardist. In 2022, I played both the piano and harpsichord, and in 2023, I played the harpsichord again.
Multiple Recording and Competition Sessions
Over the year, a lot of students prepare for their college applications. I have been asked to help great numbers of such dedicated students and had an opportunity to be at recording studios and performance venues, such as NV Factory, Fort Lee Music Hall, the Most Music School, Carnegie Weill Hall, Victor Borge Hall, Manhattan School of Music, Rutgers University, and Rider University.