Called “a rare violinist with remarkable musicianship and impeccable technique” (as quoted in The Strad), JongEun Lee began her violin studies at the age of 6 in Stanford, California. Soon after returning to her native country, Korea, she won top prizes in leading national competitions in Korea, such as the Korean Daily News Competition, Sun-Wha School of Arts' Competition, and the Cho-Sun Daily News Competition. Other recognitions and prizes include “laureate” of the International Pablo de Sarasate Competition, New Juilliard Ensemble’s Concerto Competition, Lincoln Center's Chamber Music Society's Young Artist Competition, New Jersey Symphony Orchestra's Young Artist Competition, and the New Jersey Governor's Award in the Arts. After returning to the United States, she enrolled at The Juilliard School in New York and since then has been actively pursuing a versatile career as a soloist, chamber musician, and teacher.


Concerto appearances include orchestras and ensembles of Europe, United States, and Korea such as Kharkiv Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra Sinfonica di Roma, Hradec-Kralove Philharmonic Orchestra, Vogtland Philharmonic Orchestra, New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, Aspen Young Artist Orchestra, New Juilliard Ensemble, International Sejong Soloists, Seoul Pops Orchestra, and Ulsan Philharmonic Orchestra, among others.


JongEun has performed recitals in major venues in the United States including Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, numerous European venues in Austria, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, and Slovakia, and in major halls in Korea such as the Seoul Arts Center.


An active performer of contemporary music, JongEun has premiered works by composers including Jeff Fairbanks, Tuomas Nikkanen, Andrea Daly, Julie Mandel, and George Cork Maul.


JongEun received her Bachelor’s Degree from The Juilliard School of Music (U.S.), Master’s Degree from Sibelius Academy (Finland), Künstlerische Ausbildung Degree from Hannover Hochschule für Musik und Theater (Germany), Artist Diploma from Yale University’s School of Music (U.S.), and Doctor of Musical Arts Degree from Stony Brook University (U.S.). Major teachers include Lara Lev, Soovin Kim, Philip Setzer, Hyo Kang, Dorothy DeLay, and Nam Yun Kim.


JongEun is an Associate Professor in the School of Liberal Arts at Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), where she dedicates her time to teaching and performing extensively.

© 2021 JongEun Lee School of Liberal Arts, UNISTUNIST-gil 50, Ulju, Ulsan, South Korea