Yoojin Lee

Korean-born and raised, Yoojin Lee embarked on her violin journey at the age of 2, displaying exceptional talent from an early age. At 16, she was admitted to the Korea National University of the Arts (KNUA) with a full scholarship and received the President’s Award under the guidance of world-renowned violinists Nam-Yun Kim, Koichiro Harada, and Takashi Shimizu.

After completing her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at KNUA, Lee was invited to the Manhattan School of Music to study for the Professional Performance Diploma with a full scholarship under Koichiro Harada and Sheryl Staples. She then earned the Artist Diploma, also as a full scholarship recipient, studying with Sheryl Staples, the Principal Associate Concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic.

Lee’s distinctions and achievements include being a semi-finalist in the Indianapolis Violin Competition in 2022, the youngest semi-finalist in the Queen Elisabeth Competition in 2019, the fifth prize winner in the Seoul International Music Competition in 2018, the first prize winner of the KBS & KEPCO Music Competition in 2017, the first prize winner of the Dong-A Music Competition in 2016, and the second prize winner in the International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians in 2012.

Lee’s solo performances have captivated audiences worldwide. Her solo performance at the Concert Hall of the Seoul Arts Center under the baton of the renowned conductor Chi-Yong Chung and her participation in the Winner’s Tour Concert with the KBS Symphony Orchestra in 2017 marked her arrival as an artist of remarkable prowess. Additionally, her participation in the Overseas Training Program by the 24th KBS-KEPCO Music Competition led her to Linz, Austria, where she had solo performances and participated in masterclasses with renowned Austrian professors. Her solo performances with the Syracuse Orchestra in 2024, the Gangneung Symphony Orchestra in 2022, and her enchanting solo recital at Kuk-Je Art Hall in 2019 echoed her virtuosity and underscored her status as a soloist of profound depth.

Lee’s musical resonance extends beyond solos into ensembles and orchestras. Noteworthy achievements include performing as a substitute violinist with the New York Philharmonic, a section violinist with the Syracuse Orchestra, and a substitute violinist with the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra. Her semi-finalist position in the Fischoff Chamber Music Competition in 2021, her triumph as a special prize winner at the 10th Artsylvia Chamber Music Competition in 2021, and her victory in the TLI Art Center Young Artist Audition and Winner’s Concert in 2022 enriched her musical narrative.

Lee begins the 2024/2025 season as a section violinist of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.