Born in 2009, cellist Jeri Lee has rapidly emerged as one of the most compelling young talents on the international stage. In 2025, at just 15, she became the youngest-ever First Prize winner of the Schoenfeld International String Competition and reached the semifinals of the Prague Spring International Music Competition. The previous year, she was the youngest semifinalist in the history of the George Enescu International Competition, a finalist at the Antonio Janigro International Cello Competition, and winner of Third Prize at the Chieti Classica International Competition. Earlier successes include First Prizes at the Gustav Mahler International Cello Competition (along with the Schubert Special Prize), the Ysaÿe International Junior Competition, and the David Popper International Cello Competition. In recognition of her achievements, she received Korea’s prestigious Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Award.

 

As a soloist, Jeri has performed with the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra under Jaap van Zweden, the Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra, Harbin Symphony Orchestra, Kyiv Virtuosi Orchestra, the Korean Chamber Orchestra, and the London City Philharmonic. Her recital appearances span major venues such as Carnegie Hall, Merkin Hall, and Steinway Hall in New York; Suntory Hall in Tokyo; and the Korean Cultural Center in Budapest. She has also been featured at the George Enescu Festival, Brussels Cello Festival, and Asia Pacific Cello Congress.

 

She has enriched her artistry through masterclasses with distinguished cellists including Zlatomir Fung, Ophélie Gaillard, Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi, Kirill Rodin, Santiago Cañón-Valencia, Li-Wei Qin, Richard Aaron, Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt, and Frans Helmerson.

 

Jeri currently studies at the Korea National Institute for the Gifted in Arts under Professor Kangho Lee, having previously studied with Jeongjoo Choi, Jungran Lee, and James Kim. She entered Seoul Arts High School in 2025 with a full scholarship and has been accepted for early entrance to the Korea National University of Arts in 2026.

"A performance that touches the hearts of the audience with a high level of technique and excellent expression delivery"​

                                                             - Review Magazine