Benjamin "Ben" Kim is an American pianist, who won the 55th ARD International Music Competition in Munich, September 2006 (First prize).
At age 20, he finished an accelerated Bachelor of Music degree program at the Peabody Conservatory as a student of Leon Fleisher.
In addition, Ben was selected to attend the International Piano Academy Lake Como in Italy, a program for seven pianists, headed by Martha Argerich and William Grant Naboré.
Kim has been presented in major halls throughout the world, including the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Musikverein in Vienna, Gewandhaus in Leipzig, Suntory Hall in Tokyo, and the Kennedy Center in Washington DC with orchestras such as the Bavarian Radio, German Radio, Baltimore, Seoul Philharmonic, and St Petersburg Hermitage State Symphonies.
[5] The international jury panel made its decision upon the following stated reasons: "His brilliant technique and his incredible flair for interpretive refinement are self-evident....an exceptional phenomenon among pianists his generation - such a natural, sympathetic charisma and pleasant modesty, coupled with great virtuosity, are rarely experienced with a leading musician.”[6] Works for solo piano by Chopin, Mozart and Debussy[9] Sony USA, Sony BMG Korea, Sony Music Japan International Inc.(Sony CLASSICAL) Chopin Préludes and Impromptus[10] Decca, Universal Music Group Kim's recording was given an Editor's recommendation in November 2012 from the Japanese Record Geijutsu Magazine, stating, "without nervousness or over-excitement, without boasting technique or exaggeration, Kim plays Chopin's music as if he were breathing it.