Kenny Lee

Kenny Lee has established himself as an outstanding artist and leader both on the podium and as a cellist. Praised for his “lyricism, drive, tenderness, and passion” (The Times Argus), he has performed as a conductor, recitalist, and chamber musician throughout North America, Europe, and Asia.

Lee was recently appointed as the Orchestra Conductor and Assistant Professor at the University of Iowa. Additionally, he is the conductor of the prestigious Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra’s Philharmonic Orchestra. Recent conducting highlights include collaborations with the Czech Chamber Philharmonic, Civic Orchestra of Chicago, Jerusalem Symphony, Moravská Filharmonie Olomouc, Lviv National Philharmonic, Gwinnett Chamber Orchestra, Illinois All-State Orchestra. Prior to his appoint at Iowa, Lee was the orchestra director at Western Illinois University and led the WIU Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra with thrilling and adventurous programs. He travels frequently both as a guest conductor and a masterclass clinician.

Cello performance highlights include solo and concerto appearances in venues such as Carnegie Hall, Boston’s Jordan Hall, and Eastman Kodak Hall. He recently performed concerti by Dvorak, Haydn, Elgar, and Gulda and has appeared as a soloist with the Atlanta Sinfonia, Knox-Galesburg Symphony, Eastman Philharmonia, Jordan Winds, and Eugene Symphony. He has collaborated as a soloist with conductors such as Giancarlo Guerro, Neil Varon, and William Drury.

Lee’s musical journeys have led him to collaborations with several esteemed artists, including principal players of the Berlin Philharmonic, members of the Juilliard, Cleveland, Borromeo, and Ying Quartets. Festival appearances have included Rockport Chamber Music Festival, Thy Chamber Music Festival in Denmark, Kneisel Hall Chamber Music Festival, Taos Chamber Music Festival, and Piatigorsky International Cello Festival. Lee is also the co-founder and artistic director of the Flatirons Chamber Music Festival, a non-profit organization in Boulder, Colorado. Additionally, Lee is a cellist of the Parrish Trio.

Lee is a top prize winner of several competitions, including the Seventeenth International Conductor’s Workshop and Competition, New York International Artists Competition, Hudson Valley String Competition, Borromeo Guest Artist Competition, Eastman Concerto Competition, and New England Conservatory Honors Chamber Music Competition as the founding member of the Gioviale Quartet.

Born in Seoul, South Korea, Lee grew up in Oregon and began studying music at the age of 10. Lee’s musical mentors have included Laurence Lesser, Paul Katz, Steven Doane, and Steven Pologe. He has also worked with Hans Jørgen Jensen, Pieter Wispelwey, Lluis Claret, Ralph Kirshbaum, and Frans Helmerson. Lee’s conducting teachers have included Steven Sloane, Catherine Larsen-Maguire, Carl St. Clair, and Charles Peltz. Lee graduated from the Eastman School of Music as a recipient of the John Celentano Award for Excellence in Chamber Music. He earned his Masters and Doctorate degrees from the New England Conservatory with honors.