Sean Lee

With performances described by the New York Times as “breathtakingly beautiful”, violinist Sean Lee has captured the attention of audiences worldwide with his lively performances of the classics. A recipient of Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Career Grant, his debut album, released by EMI Classics, reached the iTunes top 20 classical bestsellers list. In 2018, Lee released his second album, SONGBOOK, and continues to draw attention to his educational YouTube series, Paganini POV, which utilizes modern technology to share a unique perspective on violin playing.

Lee has appeared as a soloist with orchestras including the San Francisco Symphony, Jerusalem Symphony, Utah Symphony, Orchestra Del Teatro Carlo Felice, and Israel Camerata Jerusalem. His recital appearances have taken him to Carnegie Hall’s Weill Hall, Tel Aviv Museum of Art, Festival di Carro Paganiniano of Italy, and Vienna’s Konzerthaus. A top prizewinner at the “Premio Paganini” International Violin Competition, Lee embraces the legacy of his late mentor, violinist Ruggiero Ricci, as one of few violinists who dare to perform the complete 24 Caprices of Niccolò Paganini in recital.

Lee has collaborated in performances with Itzhak Perlman, James Galway, Deborah Voigt, and members of the Emerson and Guarneri String Quartets. As an artist with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Lee performs regularly at Lincoln Center, as well as on tour internationally. Recent international performances with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center include Lobkowicz Palace in Prague, Czech Republic; LG Arts Center in Seoul, Korea; National Theater in Taipei, Taiwan; and the White Nights Festival in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Born in Los Angeles, Lee studied in Southern California with Robert Lipsett of the Colburn Conservatory, and with violin legend Ruggiero Ricci. Moving to New York City at age 17, he began studies at the Juilliard School with the internationally acclaimed Itzhak Perlman. Lee earned both Bachelor and Master of Music Degrees, and received the William Schuman Prize upon graduation. Also a dedicated educator, Lee is a member of the chamber music faculty of the Juilliard School’s Pre-College Division, as well as the violin faculty of the Perlman Music Program.

Lee performs on a violin originally made for violinist Ruggiero Ricci in 1999, by David Bague.