Description
Violin maker Okkyum Kim was born in South Korea and discovered his passion for music through piano at a young age. His journey into violin making began in Sydney, Australia, in 1999, when he met Mr. Harry Vatillotis, a violin maker. This encounter ignited his dedication to crafting violins after witnessing Vatillotis\’ work and tools during a studio visit.
Continuing his pursuit, he encountered Marioscida, a professional violin maker, in Melbourne, Australia, in 2001 and apprenticed with him for a year. He further honed his skills working alongside Il Hun Jung in Kwangju, South Korea. His formal education in violin making took place at the Stradivari International Violin Making School in Cremona, Italy, under the guidance of Mr. Alessandro Voltini. Following graduation, he joined the Carlson & Neumann Workshop in Italy before relocating to the USA to work at Huthmaker Violin in Atlanta, GA.
Since 2011, he has been managing his own violin making, repair, and restoration studio. Always enthusiastic about discussing music and violin-related topics, he enjoys engaging with students and colleagues. He resides in Irvine, CA, with his wife, Sue, and daughter, Susan, relishing the diverse cultural experiences California offers through its numerous attractions.
