Amy Faust gets to know Ellie Kim, one of this year’s six winners of Cognizart’s Young Artist Debut competition. A junior at Westview High in Beaverton, Ellie has been playing violin since age 5. With her younger sister, Kristen Kim, also being recognized by Cognizart this year for her cello playing, it’s surprising to hear that Ellie’s parents aren’t musicians themselves, but just wanted their daughters to find something to feel passionate about.
Although Ellie normally prefers romantic-era compositions, she won her Cognizart slot performing Ernest Bloch’s “Baal Shem”, a contemporary piece she connected to through her teacher Carol Sindell. Along with the other finalists Ellie will perform this piece live on November 18th at the Reser Center in Beaverton with members of the Oregon Symphony and the Oregon Ballet Orchestras.
