Dr. Gwang Kim is the second trombone of the Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra, faculty at Concordia University Irvine, Loyola Marymount University, Ventura College Schwab School of Music, Pasadena Conservatory of Music and YOLA Torres, Los Angeles Philharmonic. He has performed with notable ensembles around the world including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, New West Symphony, Seocho Philharmonic, and the Daesan Philharmonic. He has also performed at Coachella with artists from 88 Rising and has recorded for numerous television shows Including ABC’s The Fosters and Netflix original The Chef’s Table. As an educator, Gwang has been invited as a guest clinician for the Rockport Brass Festival, Pasadena City College, California State University Northridge, WMU Symphony and KAYS Orchestra. As a passionate educator, he has previously served on faculty at the Harmony Project, and UCLA.

As a devout Christian, his research explores the profound role of the trombone as a musical embodiment of the presence of God, or Coram Deo, and discusses its contribution to the aesthetics of the sublime in compositions by Ludwig van Beethoven. By examining the special role of the trombone as an instrument with a distinctive range of expressive and spiritual associations, his research strives to provide more understanding of the relationship between the trombone, spirituality, and the sublime.

He holds his Bachelor of Music degree from the USC Thornton School of Music, a Master of Music and Doctor in Musical Arts degree from the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music.