Matthew Kim

psych professor, organist, pianist

About

Matthew Kim is Associate Professor of Psychology and Director of the Developing Minds Lab at the University of Kentucky. Matt's program of research examines the nature and development of motivation and self-regulation in K-12 and postsecondary students—with a special focus on school transitions—and how these processes relate to student success. His research has been funded by grants from the National Science Foundation, and his work has been published in peer-reviewed outlets such as Developmental Psychology, Child Development, and Contemporary Educational Psychology.A native New Yorker, Matt graduated from Stuyvesant High School (in the bottom half of his graduating class), and redeemed himself by earning a B.A. in Psychology and Economics from New York University. While pursuing his PhD in Psychology at the University of Michigan (Go Blue!), Matt studied organ performance under Dr. James Kibbie at the U-M School of Music, Theatre, and Dance. Matt performed works by Alain and Widor at the 51st and 52nd Conference on Organ Music at U-M. Since then, he has also performed works by Messiaen, Bach, and Karg-Elert at AGO members recitals in Lexington, Kentucky.Critics have acclaimed Matt's artistry as "come on you can play better than this" (Matt's inner voice), "can you please stop practicing so I can talk to you" (Matt's wife), "eh not bad slayy king" (Matt's daughter), and "you're a sigma rizzler" (Matt's son).When he's not completely exhausted (which is not very often) by his job as a professor, arguing with Reviewer #2, and being a dad to two kids, Matt serves as an ad hoc organist at Mary Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Lexington, Kentucky. Matt also continues to prepare solo piano repertoire (from Bach to Bartok and everything in between) but honestly would rather play chamber music.

Media

Selected organ recordings

Jehan Alain, Variations sur Lucis Creator, JA 27. Performed by Matthew Kim on the Marilyn Mason Organ, Blanche Anderson Moore Hall, Earl V. Moore Building, University of Michigan.

J.S. Bach, Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565. Performed by Matthew Kim on an Allen Digital Organ, Mary Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Lexington KY.

J.S. Bach, Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ, BWV 604 AND Sigfrid Karg-Elert, Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ, from Choral-Improvisationen für Orgel, Op.65. Performed by Matthew Kim on the 2007 Buzard Opus 34R organ, First Presbyterian Church, Lexington KY.

Johannes Brahms, Prelude and Fugue in G minor, WoO 10. Performed by Matthew Kim on the Frieze Memorial Organ, Hill Auditorium, University of Michigan.

Marcel Dupré, 1ere Station: Jésus est condamne à mort, from Le Chemin de la Croix, Op. 29. Performed by Matthew Kim on the Frieze Memorial Organ, Hill Auditorium, University of Michigan.

Olivier Messiaen, La Banquet Céleste. Performed by Matthew Kim on the Frieze Memorial Organ, Hill Auditorium, University of Michigan.

Charles Marie Widor, II. Adagio, from Symphonie VI pour orgue, Op. 42, No. 2. Performed during the 52nd Conference on Organ Music by Matthew Kim on the Frieze Memorial Organ, Hill Auditorium, University of Michigan.