10 Facts About Earl Kim

Earl Kim was an American composer, and music pedagogue.

Earl Kim began piano studies at age 9, studying under Homer Grun, and he soon developed an interest in composition.

Earl Kim attended University of California, Los Angeles from 1939 to 1940, studying under Arnold Schoenberg.

Earl Kim briefly attended the University of California, Berkeley in 1940.

Earl Kim's studies were paused when he served the United States Army Air Forces in World War II, as a captain in intelligence.

Earl Kim is known for his vocal and music theater works, many of which use texts by Samuel Beckett, and for his expressive, often tonal style.

Earl Kim maintained that every sound in a piece should be precise, purposeful and above all faithful to the composer's sensibilities.

In 1971 and 1972, Earl Kim collaborated with his wife dancer Mimi Kagan on the work "Exercises en Route", which toured and featured text by Samuel Beckett, and soprano soloist performer Benita Valente.

Earl Kim died on November 19,1998, of lung cancer at his home in Cambridge, Massachusetts, at the age of 78.

Earl Kim was married three times, to Nora Philipsborn, dancer Mimi Kagan, and Martha Potter ; and he had two daughters.