As first chair in the High School All Southern Orchestra and an ambitious student in Diamond Bar High School, Betty Kim is headed for a busy junior year.

Kim plays for the first violin section in the school’s symphony and has been playing the violin for the school’s orchestra since her freshman year. She has even been chosen to perform in the High School All Southern orchestra group, a collection of the best musicians from Southern California high schools, as the first chair.

Kim has performed at the Diamond Bar Center with the school’s orchestra and at the City Hall with a quartet. She also passed the highest level test with honors for the violin and level 9 for the piano. As the treasurer of the Symphony, Kim manages the orchestra’s budget and organizes fundraisers and class trips while doing her best to keep up with school and music.

Kim would not be where she is now if it wasn’t for her mother who without hesitation, enrolled Kim in a piano program in kindergarten and violin lessons in third grade.

“I wasn’t even interested in playing either instrument in the first place. All of a sudden, I was going to piano class and I still didn’t have a clue. It was so random,” Kim said.

With a 4.0 GPA, Kim is taking four AP courses while being an active member of the California Scholarship Federation and the Technology Student Association. She has also been chosen as Student of the Year for Spanish II Honors and has been on the Principal’s Honor Roll since 2012. This well-rounded junior was formerly the Class of 2016 Vice President her freshman year and also volunteers as a string coach with the Giocoso Youth Orchestra, a local orchestra for elementary and middle school kids.

Outside of playing the violin during school, Kim performs with two other musicians in front of professors from the USC Thornton Music School who critique and help them improve their performance. Although Kim plays the violin much more than the piano, she hopes to pursue a career as a pianist.

“It’s true that I play the violin more. But in the end, playing the piano is what I love the most,” Kim said.

Kim appreciates her piano teacher for always being patient during their lessons, especially when Kim forgets to practice. Her teacher has been her biggest inspiration throughout her career as a pianist.

“My teacher always reminded me of my goals. Because in the end, this is for me to enjoy in my life,” Kim said.

The junior has some advice for those who are on the same path as her and hopes that it will stay with them.

“Don’t get caught up in the competition. Always remember what you’re doing before doing it. I know it’s overrated but just enjoy it. Be selfish and remember it’s for you,” Kim said.