Julian Rhee

Winner of the prestigious 2024 Avery Fisher Career Grant, Korean-American violinist Julian Rhee has enthralled listeners internationally, receiving praise for his refinement and beauty of sound, and "the kind of poise and showmanship that thrills audiences" (The Strad). His passion for all forms of collaboration has taken him around the world, producing a thoroughly sensitive and informed artist.

Rhee came to international prominence following his prize-winning performances at the 2024 Queen Elisabeth International Violin Competition and Silver Medal finish at the 11th Quadrennial International Violin Competition of Indianapolis.

Since his Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra debut at the age of eight, Rhee has gone on to perform with orchestras across the world, such as the Belgian National Orchestra, Indianapolis Symphony, Antwerp Symphony, Santa Rosa Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, East Coast Chamber, Eugene Symphony, Madison Symphony and San Diego Symphony, as well as with acclaimed conductors such as Francesco Lecce-Chong, Nicolas McGegan, Hugh Wolff, Antony Hermus and Leonard Slatkin, among others. Recent and upcoming engagements include appearances with the Orchestra Royal de Chamber de Wallonie, Württemberg Chamber Orchestra of Heilbronn and Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, a tour of Scotland as part of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, as well as a production of Lera Auerbach´s complete 24 Preludes for Violin and Piano with the Hamburg Ballet and John Neuemeier.

Equally passionate about chamber music, Rhee is the newest member of the Chamber Music Society (CMS) of Lincoln Center’s prestigious Bowers Program. He has performed at and attended festivals including the Ravinia Steans Institute, Marlboro Music and North Shore Chamber Music Festival, performing alongside esteemed musicians such as Vadim Gluzman, Jonathan Biss and Mitsuko Uchida.

Rhee is the recipient of the outstanding 1699 "Lady Tennant" Antonio Stradivari violin and a Jean Pierre Marie Persoit bow on extended loan thanks to the generosity of the Mary B Galvin Foundation and the Stradivari Society.

Rhee has studied with Hye-Sun Lee and Almita Vamos, and received his Bachelor´s and Master´s degrees as teaching assistant of Miriam Fried at the New England Conservatory. 

Since October 2024, he has been studying at Kronberg Academy with Christian Tetzlaff. His studies are funded by the Alexander and Christine Sieber patronage.