Lieutenant Colonel Dae Kim serves as the 27th Commander of the West Point Band. A native of Philadelphia, Pa., he is a graduate of Temple University, from which he holds a Bachelor and Master of Arts in Music, having studied conducting with Luis Biava, Arthur Chodoroff, and Timothy Oliver.

An accomplished clarinetist, Lt. Col. Kim has performed under many noted conductors, including Christoph Eschenbach, Wolfgang Sawallisch, and Leonard Slatkin. Solo and festival appearances include the Academy of Music, Aspen Music Festival, and the National Orchestral Institute. His principal teachers were Samuel Caviezel and Ronald Reuben. 

Previous assignments include Commander, Training and Doctrine Command Band, Fort Eustis, Va.; Executive Officer, The United States Army Band, Ft. Myer, Va.; Commander, Army Ground Forces Band, Fort Bragg, N.C.; multiple deployments as Theater Music Liaison Officer, United States Army Central, Southwest Asia; Staff Music Officer, Forces Command, Fort Bragg, N.C.; Deputy Commander, West Point Band, West Point, N.Y.; and Executive Officer, Army Ground Forces Band, Fort McPherson, Ga.

His military training includes Officer Candidate School, where he was the Distinguished Military Graduate; Basic Officer Leader Course; Army Band Officer Course; Army Band Captains Career Course; Public Affairs and Communication Strategy Qualification Course; and Command and General Staff Officer Course, where he was a Distinguished Graduate. 

Lt. Col. Kim’s military awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Superior Unit Award, and the Gold German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency.