The future of music, made here.

Yunchan Lim ’24 UC Makes Triumphant Boston Symphony Orchestra and Carnegie Hall Debuts

February 22, 2024

Yunchan Lim Performing

Pianist Yunchan Lim ’24 UC made his spectacular Boston Symphony Orchestra debut at Symphony Hall from February 15-18 with guest conductor Tugan Sokhiev, performing Rachmaninoff’s Concerto No. 3 to multiple standing ovations. This is the same piece Lim performed to a stunned audience during the final round of 2022’s Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, securing his place as the youngest person ever to win gold at the competition.

In its review, The Boston Globe described Lim as “the very definition of a rising star,” praising his “superb debut performance with the BSO.”

Lim was joined backstage by NEC President Andrea Kalyn and BSO President and CEO Chad Smith ’95 NEC/Tufts, ’98 MM on the first evening of his BSO debut, photographed right.

Lim, who is South Korean, enrolled at NEC in the fall of 2023 to continue his studies with his beloved long-time teacher, NEC faculty member and alumnus Minsoo Sohn ‘99, ‘01 GD, ‘04 AD.

“I see Yunchan as not merely a pianist who can sing with conviction, but as an alert, responsive musician who knows how to listen, blend, and accompany,” said Sohn.

On February 21, Lim’s awe-striking performances continued as he made another mesmerizing debut at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

“This was virtuosity as life force,” reads The New York Times’ review of his performance of Chopin’s 27 études, citing the encore Lim received as a “rare occurrence” in the iconic venue.

Photo credit: Hilary Scott

Yunchan Lim with Andrea Kayln and Chad Smith
recent news
2025 honorary degree recipients

April 23, 2025

New England Conservatory Announces 154th Commencement with Honorary Degree Recipients Chad Smith, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Michael Tilson Thomas, Conrad Pope & Wendy Shattuck

Read More
Record Room

April 21, 2025

NEC’s Record Room is Home to a Legendary Musician’s Collection of Rare Albums  

Read More
Marylen Sternweiler

April 18, 2025

New England Conservatory Community Mourns the Passing of Marylen Sternweiler

Read More
  • 2025 honorary degree recipients

    April 23, 2025

    New England Conservatory Announces 154th Commencement with Honorary Degree Recipients Chad Smith, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Michael Tilson Thomas, Conrad Pope & Wendy Shattuck

  • Record Room

    April 21, 2025

    NEC’s Record Room is Home to a Legendary Musician’s Collection of Rare Albums  

  • Marylen Sternweiler

    April 18, 2025

    New England Conservatory Community Mourns the Passing of Marylen Sternweiler

  • Debut Day Welcomes Admitted Students to NEC Campus

    April 14, 2025

    Debut Day Welcomes Admitted Students to NEC Campus

  • Aiden Coleman

    April 11, 2025

    NEC’s Teaching Artistry Concentration Broadens Mindsets

  • Molly Knight, David Paligora, and Hannah Marks

    April 7, 2025

    NEC’s Fall 2024 Entrepreneurial Musicianship Grant Recipients Bring Projects to Fruition