Colorado Symphony Blog

At just 21 years old, Claude Sim was appointed Associate Concertmaster of the Colorado Symphony, a position he still holds more than two decades later. While that’s impressive enough on its own, it only scratches the surface of one of the orchestra’s most adventurous musicians.

Claude’s musical world extends far beyond the concert hall. A lifelong believer that great music has no boundaries, he’s performed everything from Beethoven to bluegrass, Argentine tango to jazz, and rock alongside artists including Béla Fleck, Leslie Odom Jr., Warren Haynes, Guster, and Denver favorites DeVotchKa. He’s even released albums of both tango and American Songbook jazz standards.

His musical curiosity started early. Growing up outside Chicago, Claude began piano and violin lessons at age three, but he was equally captivated by blues, hard rock, jazz, and bluegrass. He later picked up mandolin after discovering Bill Monroe and played electric bass in his high school jazz band, inspired by legendary bassist Jaco Pastorius. Ask him who influenced him most growing up, though, and you might be surprised: Michael Jordan. Claude still points to Jordan’s work ethic and leadership as qualities he strives to bring to every rehearsal and performance.

The son of immigrants from Hong Kong and Taiwan, Claude credits his parents’ determination and love of classical music for setting him on his path. Their belief in education, opportunity, and the arts eventually led him to the Oberlin Conservatory and, ultimately, to Colorado.

When he’s not performing on stage, Claude enjoys sharing his passion for music with the next generation, having taught at universities across Colorado, including the University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado State University, and the University of Colorado Denver.

Whether he’s performing a concerto, improvising jazz, or exploring a new musical collaboration, Claude brings the same spirit of curiosity that has defined his career from the very beginning.

Quick Takes

Favorite composer:

Beethoven, because his compositional evolution from early to late period was staggering in range and human expression.

A piece you’ll never get tired of playing:

Playing anything by Mozart becomes more challenging and rewarding the more you explore his work. Mozart reveals what kind of musician you are, so we always ask for this in our violin auditions!

Currently listening to:

I’ve recently been obsessed with the Grateful Dead catalog after meeting Bruce Hornsby and I also enjoying listening to guitarists Julian Lage and Joe Pass.

Hidden talent:

When I was 11, my little hands were featured playing in a Casio Keyboard commercial, so I consider myself a retired professional hand model. Favorite Colorado spot: My family loves visiting Steamboat Lake State Park as a favorite Colorado spot.