Born and bred in Nelson and at the age of 14 Kim started singing training with Nancy Stayner and then with Pamela Sims. Kim won a Scholarship in the Nelson Competitions in 1984 and went on to win the 1985 Marlborough Competitions in Blenheim. This enabled her to represent Marlborough in the Performing Arts Competitions held in Gisborne in 1985 - she was a finalist in the National Vocal Award at the age of 18.
Moving to Christchurch in 1987 Kim began learning from Joan Davies, then Edmund and Gillian Bohan until 1991. After an extended break she resumed training with Gillian Bohan in 2005.
Kim performed in the Chorus of
Il trovatore in 2008 and performed the 'Anvil Chorus' at Christchurch's Classical Sparks in 2009.