Jinny Lee, Violin

Jinny Lee is a classically trained violinist whose career bridges both performance and teaching. She shares her extensive experience with students at Jinny’s Violin Studio in the San Francisco Bay Area, fostering a supportive and driven community of musicians.

In addition to her teaching, Jinny maintains an active performance career. She serves as Principal Second Violin of the Stockton Symphony and regularly performs as a substitute violinist with Symphony San Jose and the Santa Cruz Symphony.

Jinny is also the co-founder of Ensemble di Luce, a chamber group dedicated to presenting expressive and thoughtfully curated performances. Through both her teaching and performing, she is committed to developing musicians with strong technical foundations and a clear artistic voice.

About Jinny

Ensemble di Luce

Violin Lesson Studio

At Jinny Lee’s Violin Studio, students don’t just learn how to play the violin — they learn how to build a strong foundation that lasts a lifetime. With over 18 years of teaching experience, Jinny Lee focuses on three core principles: playing with physical ease, visualizing sound, and performing with musical intention. Her teaching approach emphasizes clarity, efficiency, and deep understanding, helping students develop both technical strength and artistic expression.

Students from the studio have been accepted into highly selective summer programs and elite music programs, including The Juilliard School Summer Program, Tanglewood Music Center Summer Program, Colburn School Summer Program, Bowdoin International Music Festival, Vivace Summer Festival, C’est Bon Music Academy, and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music Pre-College. They have also performed in prestigious ensembles such as the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra and have received top awards in competitions.

Each lesson is thoughtfully structured and personalized. Whether preparing for auditions, competitions, summer programs, youth orchestra placement, or personal growth, students follow a clear and intentional path designed to help them reach their full potential.

Fundamental technique is at the heart of everything. By building a reliable and relaxed technical foundation, students gain the freedom to express themselves musically at a high level — not just now, but for years to come.

Whether you are just beginning or pursuing advanced training, Jinny’s studio provides a focused, supportive environment where students can grow with confidence, direction, and purpose.

Student Showcase

Learn More

A 10-Year Quest for Freedom: What Playing Without a Shoulder Rest Taught Me About Violin Body Mechanics

Many people think of the violin as an instrument played solely with the hands. However, understanding true violin body mechanics is the ultimate secret to playing with complete artistic freedom. When working with the numerous advanced students and amateur violinists who visit my studio, the very first thing I emphasize is entirely different: "The violin is an instrument played with the entire body As an Asian woman with shorter arms and smaller hands than the average person,

The Lifelong Journey of Violin Playing: Why We Must Continuously Tune Our Body Mechanics

Many people think of the violin as an instrument played solely with the hands. However, when working with the numerous advanced students and amateur violinists who visit my studio, the very first thing I emphasize is entirely different: "The violin is an instrument played with the entire body." If you practice relentlessly but your sound remains harsh, or if you experience neck and back pain after playing for just a short while, it is not a lack of practice. It is a powerful

Starting Violin at a Young Age: Building the Body, Mind, and Musical Foundation

Many parents ask me, “Is my child too young to start violin?” Especially with children around ages 3–5, parents often worry because their child may not stand still for long, may not have strong fingers yet, or may seem too small to hold the instrument properly. But in my teaching, I see this stage very differently. Young children are still developing their balance, coordination, posture, finger strength, arm movement, and overall body awareness. This is exactly why the early

Book In-Person Lessons

To best tailor our program to meet your needs, I'm keen to learn more about your interests and aspirations. Please indicate your interest in any of the following areas:

Participating in all-state auditions or competitions
Joining youth or school orchestras
Preparing to major or minor in music at college
Applying for the San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM) Pre-College Program
If you are currently undecided about your goals, that’s completely fine
Or maybe you're interested in diving deep into the mechanics of violin playing to truly master the instrument

I would be grateful if you could contact me via email to discuss further. My schedule primarily consists of weekly lessons with my students, but I assure you that we can find a suitable time slot for you. Once I receive your response, I will inform you of the available times that could work for both of us.

Email Me

Teaching Philosophy

Students don’t just learn pieces — they build the technique to play them.

Through a structured curriculum combining etudes, exercises, and repertoire, students develop strong fundamentals, confidence, and consistent results, including acceptance into top programs such as Juilliard, Tanglewood, Colburn, SFCM Pre-College, and SFSYO.

Teaching Philosophy