Jinny Lee - Biography
Jinny Lee, born in Seoul, South Korea, started studying the piano at the age of three and the violin at four years old. In her teenage years, she participated in various national music competitions, winning many of them, most notably the Music Education Competition and the Korean Herald News Competition.
During her time at Chung-Ang University (CAU), while pursuing a bachelor’s degree in violin performance, Lee won the CAU concerto competition, earning the opportunity to play as a soloist with the CAU orchestra. In 2013, she moved to the United States to study with the 1st violinist of the St. Petersburg String Quartet, Alla Aranovskaya. She participated in the St. Petersburg International Music Academy in Kansas, Texas, and Pennsylvania. Lee performed as a member of the Suprima Chamber Orchestra, which was established by the St. Petersburg Quartet.
Jinny Lee was accepted with a full scholarship into the studio of Ben Sayevich at Park University’s International School of Music in 2015, where she experienced the competitive environment of studying with young professional musicians. In the meantime, she was a section violinist in the Topeka Symphony Orchestra and served as an assistant concertmaster in Wichita Grand Opera.
After completing her master's degree in 2017, Lee moved to the San Francisco Bay Area, where she earned her Orchestra Artist Diploma at the San Francisco Symphony Academy. This transformative period was marked by the invaluable mentorship and guidance she received from distinguished musicians, including David Chernyavsky and Catherine Van Hoesen. Their expertise and dedication to the craft profoundly influenced her approach to music, both as a performer and an educator.
Motivated by this rich learning experience, Lee founded Jinny’s Violin Studio upon her arrival in California. Here, she actively teaches the violin to students of all ages, skill levels, and cultural backgrounds. In her teaching, Lee integrates the lessons learned from her mentors, fostering an environment of excellence, creativity, and inclusivity. Through her studio, she continues to pass on the passion and precision she acquired from her esteemed teachers, enriching the musical journey of each student.
She is currently a principal 2nd violin player in Stockton Symphony and also plays in other Bay Area Orchestras such as Symphony San Jose, Santa Cruz Symphony, Berkeley Symphony, California Symphony, Sacramento Philharmonic, Modesto Symphony. She is also a Co-Founder of Kara Ensemble, is focused on directing a range of diverse concerts.
Teaching Philosophy
At Jinny Lee's Violin Studio, we believe that every student has the potential to become a successful and confident musician. We believe that learning music should be an enjoyable and fulfilling experience, and we strive to provide a welcoming and supportive environment for all students. We emphasize the importance of setting achievable goals and practicing effectively to help students make progress and achieve their musical dreams. Our teaching approach is tailored to meet each student's unique needs, interests, and learning styles, with a focus on building a strong technical foundation and developing musical expression. With patience, encouragement, and expert guidance, we aim to inspire a lifelong love of music in all our students.
