From legal briefs to musical sheets, he’s fluent in both

As a legal counsel, Danny Kim’s principal area of practice is complex commercial litigation, but at SFCM, his area of practice is the piano. “Music is important to me because it allows me to communicate freely. As an attorney, communication is always tied to a specific goal—whether it’s persuading a judge or gathering crucial details from a deponent. Music, on the other hand, is about expression for its own sake, sharing something beautiful with others for the joy of it,” Kim said.

Danny Kim plays piano at SFCM.

Since 2022 the 28-year-old Kim has been a Continuing Education (CE) student at SFCM, a division of the Conservatory that offers a variety of musical opportunities designed to suit all levels of interest. “I picked the piano back up while I was in law school. I was buried in legal studies and needed an outlet,” Kim continued. “Taking piano class through the Continuing Education program gave me a creative escape.” This re-engagement also brought back memories of first learning piano at five years old and how his grandmother (his first music teacher) nurtured a love for music in him. 

Inside Continuing Education classes, some of the Bay Area's most innovative musicians lead courses catered to varying skill levels. CE classes do not require any previous musical experience or knowledge and are catered to a music lover's goals: For Kim, this was a musical outlet, though he does believe it has also made him a better lawyer. “Back in law school, I was involved in a mock trial, and giving opening statements or closing arguments reminded me a lot of performing music. Both require you to connect with your audience and keep their attention. That performance aspect definitely carries over,” Kim added.

Classes vary from private instruction to group study. “The classes have been a lot of fun. It’s been amazing to meet other musicians in the city and share the experience of playing and listening to music,” Kim said. “In my very first class, I got to play with two other pianists, and we became great friends.” 

“Our instructor, Jackie Chew, is also fantastic,” Kim added, “She’s very knowledgeable and supportive and does an amazing job tailoring her teaching to match everyone’s different skill levels and styles. I’ve learned a lot from her.”

While the process started as a creative outlet, for Kim, his favorite part has turned out to be his end-of-semester recitals, “It’s always fun to invite family and friends and share what we’ve been working on. There’s also something really satisfying about learning a piece, practicing it for weeks, and then performing it. It feels like everything comes together in that one moment.”

Moving forward, Kim’s focus will remain on making his case in court,  now with a renewed appreciation for making music at a keyboard. “I recommend the CE class to anyone who's interested. The class is great for everyone—whether you’re a total beginner or someone who’s played for years. It’s such a supportive community, and we all come together because we love music.”

Learn more about Continuing Education classes at SFCM.