The Little Orchestra Society is heartbroken to share that our Associate Conductor Jane Kim passed away on December 4th, 2022; she was 33 years old. Jane was with her family in California, and she was not in any pain.

What a marvel Jane was; one of the most remarkable talents to join L.O.S. in our 76-year history. She was an important part of our organization’s transformation in recent years, joining cherished music of the past with performances by living composers and young artists. Jane brought her passion, her light and her life, to a new generation of music lovers.

Her talent on the podium shone through in exquisite technique and refined taste, but the real magic happened when Jane connected with audience members. Upon our pandemic return to the stage, she conducted our “Things That Go Bang” concert at the newly opened Little Island Park in NYC. Jane’s comedy and relatability inspired young people, so much so that they clapped and reached out to her as they would a rock star. The difference was clear with young women in the crowd, who saw themselves reflected in Jane’s example—front and center—of what can be achieved through hard work and dedication.

Jane could talk about politics and world events, but also celebrity gossip and the latest skincare routines. Not to mention her great knowledge of music, and broad technical abilities including performing, speaking, and writing, eloquently. She was the type of person the “Jeopardy!” game show was meant for, and she was an avid watcher. Jane had many interests, one being world cuisine; she and the staff at L.O.S. would obsess over food together, and share pictures and posts of the best ramen, or cocktails, or pastries in NYC.

Her colleagues, the Orchestra, and the Board at L.O.S. loved working with her. She was skilled and intelligent. It was so easy to know Jane because no matter where she was or what she did, she elevated our work. Her contributions were always thoughtful—deeply so—and rather than speak to fill a silence, Jane waited until something needed to be said. She helped others see what couldn’t yet be seen. Jane never worked to be the center of attention, but she could easily step into the spotlight and make her leadership seem effortless.

We will always remember the spirit and boldness Jane brought to The Little Orchestra Society. We will always be better because of her presence in our lives. Jane was exceptional, a colleague and a friend, and she will be sorely missed. 

Sincerely,

All of us at The Little Orchestra Society

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Jane Kim graduated with a B.A. in Music from U.C. Berkeley, and a M.M. in Orchestral Conducting from The Juilliard School. She joined The Little Orchestra Society (L.O.S.) in 2019 with the Van Lier Fellowship supported by the New York Community Trust. Jane was promoted to Associate Conductor and Development Manager during her tenure at L.O.S.