Ithaca College

Violin Performance major Joohyun Lee ('15) recently earned two major achievements in her young musical career, providing the opportunity to perform twice at Carnegie Hall in New York City in the spring and fall. 

Early this year, Lee took second place in the American Fine Arts Festival International Concerto Competition, granting her a recital on May 4, at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall. She also recently took third place in the American Protégé International Concerto Competition, for which she will return to Weill Recital Hall in November for a second recital.

Prior to these recent accomplishment, she won second place in the 2010 Northern Dutchess Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition.

Hailing form Poughkeepsie, New York, Lee, 19, began studying violin when she was 8 years old. Currently studying at IC with Professor Susan Waterbury, Lee was previously instructed by other world-class violinist, including Betty-Jean Hagen and Sunyoung Lee.

Waterbury, Lee’s current instructor, spoke highly of her dedication to the art of violin performance. 

“I would say that she is one of the most ambitious, responsible, curious, and most improved violinist I have taught in a long time,” Waterbury wrote in an email.

In addition to the recent accolades, Lee has performed in masterclasses for Ashley Vandiver of A Far Cry, Janet Sung, and members of the Shanghai String Quartet, the Jasper String Quartet, and the Biava String Quartet. In past summers, she has attended the Meadowmount School of Music and the Summer String Quartet Intensive at the Steinhardt School at New York University.

Lee is in her second year at IC's School of Music, pursuing her undergraduate degree in Violin Performance, Lee is a member of the Ithaca College Symphony and Chamber Orchestras and has performed in numerous recitals as a collaborator and a soloist. 

Congratulations on your achievement Joohyun!