A versatile artist who traverses solo performance, orchestral collaboration, and chamber music, Joon Ho Shim has established himself as one of the most distinguished and dynamic cellists in Korea today. Renowned for his powerful and bold interpretations, profound sound, and relentless musical curiosity, he has made an indelible mark on numerous stages worldwide.  

 

He first came into the spotlight by entering both Yewon School and Seoul Arts High School at the top of his class, followed by his successful debut at the Kumho Young Artist Concert. His career accelerated with First Prize at the 32nd JoongAng Music Concours in 2006 and major domestic competition victories. Internationally, he won Second Prize at the Antonio Janigro International Cello Competition in 2012, and most notably, he became the first Korean and unanimous First Prize winner at the Jeunesses Musicales International Competition in 2010 - an achievement that propelled him to global recognition. 

 

Shim has appeared as a soloist with leading orchestras including the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, KBS Symphony Orchestra, Seongnam Philharmonic, Suwon Philharmonic, Incheon Philharmonic, Gwangju Symphony Orchestra, Busan Philharmonic, Bucheon Philharmonic, Wonju Philharmonic, Berlin Junge Philharmonie, Belgrade RTS Symphony Orchestra, Norwegian Radio Orchestra, Zagreb Philharmonic, and Zagreb Soloists. He has also been invited to major international festivals such as the Bergen International Festival, Fagerborg Music Festival, Oudewater Music Festival, and Szeged Music Festival for recitals and concerto engagements. 

 

In 2011, he was named a Rising Star by the Kumho Asiana Cultural Foundation. In 2015, he performed the complete Beethoven Cello Sonatas in a single day at Seoul Arts Center IBK Chamber Hall, receiving outstanding critical acclaim. In 2018, he was invited to the Symphony Festival, performing with the Busan Philharmonic Orchestra to great praise. 

 

His chamber music career flourished as a member of the European Chamber Music Academy (ECMA). In 2012, he founded the Kallaci String Quartet, a group that profoundly shaped his musical life. The quartet completed the full Shostakovich string quartets in 2015, followed by the complete Beethoven quartets over a span of two years beginning in 2017. He is also an active member of Club M, an ensemble of renowned young Korean musicians. His Sony Classical album Beethoven & Rachmaninoff with pianist Jong-Hai Park received widespread acclaim from critics and audiences alike. He became the first Korean artist selected by Larsen Strings, one of the world’s premier string brands. 

 

Shim previously served as Principal Cellist of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra and is currently on faculty at Seoul National University, dedicating himself to nurturing the next generation of musicians. He studied with Young-Chang Cho at the Folkwang University of the Arts in Essen, and with Truls Mørk and Jian Wang at the Norwegian Academy of Music, where he completed the Artist Diploma.

 

He performs on the 1710 “Vaska,” crafted by Carlo Ruggeri.