Okkyum Kim 16 1/4" viola, Irvine, California, 2025 | Metzler Violins

Okkyum Kim was born in 1974 in South Korea. He began his training in violin

making in 2000 in Melbourne, Australia, studying with Mario Scida.

To further pursue the Cremonese tradition, he continued his studies in Cremona,

Italy, where he trained under Alessandro Voltini in violin making and Bruce Carlson

in restoration. He graduated in 2006 from the International School of Violin Making

in Cremona.

After working in Duluth, Georgia, he has been based in Irvine, California since

2014, where he builds and restores violins, violas, and cellos with a focus on tonal

refinement and structural integrity.

Awards

2006 Viola Workmanship Award – Violin Society of America

2008 Gold Medal (Violin) – Mexico Queretaro Triennale

2009 Bronze Medal (Viola) – Cremona Triennale