Conductor of Care and Choral

June 7, 2019

By Kerri O’Farrell, Communications Manager (kerri@kwacares.org)

For more than six years, Bob Kim has worked for the Korean Women’s Association in our Federal Way office as an In-Home Care Supervisor. Bob’s position was originally offered to his wife who thought he might be a better fit. Bob says his wife was right, “I have always enjoyed being with elderly people even when I was a young boy. They have so much to teach me.” Through his work, Bob says he has taken on a new point of view, realizing how important it is to stay active and maintain his health, but also to age with dignity and grace.

At KWA, Bob works tirelessly to find the perfect match between clients needing care in their own homes and a caregiver committed to care, compassion, and kindness. But Bob’s passion for making connections and creating symbiotic relationships goes beyond client and caregiver. Bob is also an accomplished musician. What’s more, in 2009 Bob founded the Washington Korean Chamber Ensemble for which he serves as artistic director. Bob’s musical background started in Korea.  He received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in French Language and Linguistics from the Korea University in Seoul.  He then completed a master’s degree in Choral Conducting at the Presbyterian College, also in Seoul.  Bob is currently a candidate for the Doctor of Musical Arts program in Choral Conducting at the University of Washington and is the music director at Federal Way First Presbyterian Church. As a bass soloist, Bob has performed major sacred music such as Faure’s “Requiem,” Mozart’s “Great Mass in C Minor,” Haydn’s “The Creation,” and Handel’s “Messiah” with UW Symphony Orchestra and the Symphony Tacoma orchestra.

When Bob is not at his job at KWA or conducting music, Bob spends his time with his wife, three daughters, and the family dog, Oreo.

If you’d like to see Bob raise his baton as he leads the Washington Korean Chamber Ensemble, the group’s annual concert is June 16, 2019, at 7 pm at the Federal Way Performing Arts and Events Center.  Tickets start at $20.  Get Tickets.