Jinna Kim is a Korean American artist based in Charlotte who works across film, acting, and music. While she is classically trained as a violist with years of experience in community orchestras, her time at Azule was focused on her deep interest in folk music.
Living in North Carolina has allowed Jinna to immerse herself in old-time, Celtic, and regional folk traditions. She has spent years attending workshops, fiddle camps, and weekly jams, where the music is learned through repetition and playing with others. At the residency, she spent most of her time with a five-string violin, using its extended lower range to move back and forth between melody and harmony.
Azule provided Jinna with the rare gift of uninterrupted time. Without the pressure of a looming performance or a rigid rehearsal schedule, she was able to slow down, explore different keys, and simply spend time with the music itself. For Jinna, the inspiration often comes from the learning process—the patience it takes to internalize a tune until it feels familiar.
A highlight of her stay was an unexpected local connection. After Camille mentioned she was friends with Hilary Dirlam—an artist whose old-time music books Jinna was actually using at the residency—the two were able to spend time playing together. Jinna used the opportunity to ask questions about tempo, learning by ear, and what it looks like to sustain a long life in music.
That experience reinforced Jinna’s belief that folk music is best learned through conversation and shared time. Her residency wasn’t about finishing a specific project; it was about honoring music as a daily practice rooted in curiosity, listening, and community.