Haim Choi

Born in Germany, South Korean violinist Haim Choi bases herself in London while enjoying a versatile freelance career.

Haim studied at the Yehudi Menuhin School and the Royal College of Music as an Orpheus Scholar, where she was awarded full scholarships to attain BMus (1st Class Hons), MPerf (Distinction) and Artist Diploma in Performance.

In 2022 Haim was awarded the prestigious Tagore Gold Medal presented by King Charles III, and performed at Buckingham Palace. In the same year she gave performances of Bach Concerto for Two Violins as well as Sarasate Navarra with Maxim Vengerov, from whom she has received regular tutelage between 2018 and 2022.

As a soloist Haim has given numerous concerto performances ranging from Mozart, Saint Saens, Tchaikovsky to Arnold, with Oxford Sinfonia, Thames Philharmonia, LGT Young Soloists, Seoul National Symphony and RCM Orchestras.

Haim is a founding member and 1st violinist of the award-winning Salomé Quartet, with whom she enjoys many versatile collaborations with living composers, visual artists and theatre creatives - the quartet was featured on stage in the critically acclaimed production "Dr Semmelweis" (London West End 2023, Bristol Old Vic 2022), in which Haim also took on the role of Music Director, having worked closely since the 2021 devising process with Tom Morris OBE (director), Adrian Sutton (composer) and a multidisciplinary cast led by Sir Mark Rylance (co-author and actor in the titular role). As a passionate chamber musician, Haim dedicates the majority of her time into collaborating with like-minded individuals and ensembles of all sizes.

Also an avid orchestral player, Haim enjoys her principal roles with Sinfonia Cymru (leader/director), Glyndebourne Sinfonia (co-leader), Bath Festival Orchestra (section principal) and London Chamber Orchestra (guest principal), among others. She also regularly performs with the LSO, BBCSO, ENO, Philharmonia and Aurora Orchestras, as well as smaller chamber orchestras such as Britten Sinfonia, Manchester Camerata and Academy of St Martin in the Fields.

She has previously won places for the LSO String Experience, BBCSO Pathway, Glyndebourne Pit Perfect and ENO Evolve schemes, as well as Philharmonia MMSF and ENO Violin Fellowships.

Haim was appointed Cultural Ambassador of UNESCO Korea, and has enjoyed teaching violin and viola at the Yehudi Menuhin School, her alma mater, as well as Eton College.

Haim feels deeply indebted to many inspiring musical mentors including professors Itzhak Rashkovsky, Gaby Lester and the Sacconi Quartet