Kim Karalekas discovered her passion for music at a young age, beginning piano at 5, violin at 8, and singing in choirs throughout her life.

As a classically trained violinist, her musical journey began with symphonies and chamber ensembles, but later expanded to include a range of genres, deepening her appreciation for both the structure of classical music and the spontaneity of more contemporary styles.

She has performed and competed nationally and internationally, including as part of the winning orchestra at the Summa Cum Laude International Music Festival in Vienna, Austria, and with the Sprague Camerata Orchestra, a recipient of the prestigious GRAMMY Signature Award.

Kim later moved to Austin, TX, where she performed with La Strada, a world music band that played traditional styles such as Swedish hambos, Argentine tangos, polkas, waltzes, and more. She also played violin in the Commerce Street Ramblers, a band featuring country blues, gypsy jazz, western swing, and bluegrass.

While living in Querétaro, Mexico, Kim discovered her love for Latin music and dance. After taking her first salsa class, she was quickly drawn to bachata, which soon became her true passion. In the years that followed, she trained extensively, both nationally and internationally, with top artists from around the world.

Kim currently lives in San Francisco, where she works by day as a product marketer in the tech industry, and by night is a violinist with the San Francisco Civic Orchestra and an avid dancer in the bachata scene. She’s especially excited to now be blending two of her greatest passions - classical violin and bachata - into creative projects that connect music, movement, and community.