During her four years at The Tianjin Juilliard School, Hyunyoung Lee (MM ‘24, Instrumental and Chamber Music Studies; MM ‘22, Instrumental and Orchestral Studies, violin) frequently appeared as concertmaster. She was among Tianjin Juilliard’s first graduating class of master’s students, and the first to complete two degrees. In May 2024, she received The Tianjin Juilliard School Award for her outstanding artistic accomplishments and academic achievements. Currently, she serves as the Associate Concertmaster of the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra.
Reflecting on her time at Tianjin Juilliard, Lee says the most valuable lesson she learned was on collaboration, specifically “the skills, the experience, and the mindset of working together,” she says. “My years at Tianjin Juilliard built a solid foundation for my professional musicianship.”
You’ve been with the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra for over a year now. How’s life in Guangzhou?
I moved to Guangzhou exactly a year ago for work. Life has been busy; we have concerts almost every week, but I’m grateful to do what I truly love. I really enjoy living here—the acoustics at Xinghai Concert Hall are outstanding, and the audiences are wonderful. The weather can get pretty hot and humid, but with good air conditioning, amazing food, and warm people, life here is great.
Looking back at your decision to study at Tianjin Juilliard, what thoughts come to mind?
It was a decision made out of trust. When I was an undergraduate student in Korea, my mother took me to a Shanghai Quartet concert. It was the first time I truly experienced chamber music, and that performance left a lasting impression on me. Years later, I read that the Shanghai Quartet had joined Tianjin Juilliard as resident faculty, and I applied immediately.
Then the pandemic hit, and studying in China became uncertain. The way the school and teachers stayed connected with us through online meetings and emails, assisting us with visas and flights, deeply moved me. The Tianjin Juilliard community worked closely together, fully dedicated to the school’s success.
What was the most important thing you learned from your four years at Tianjin Juilliard?
Collaboration—without question. Tianjin Juilliard is unique because the graduate studies program emphasizes collaborative performance. Whether in orchestra or chamber music, we learned everything by working closely with others.
When I first came to Tianjin, I spent more time by myself, thinking that would help me concentrate on my music. However, Wei He, our CEO and Artistic Director, encouraged me to open up and connect with my classmates—whether through chamber music or simply by spending time together. His guidance helped me grow both musically and personally.
Over time, I came to understand collaboration not just as a musical skill, but as a way of life: working with others, connecting with each other, and balancing mind and body. These lessons have helped me tremendously in my role at the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra.
How did your studies at Tianjin Juilliard prepare you for an orchestral career?
Playing in the Tianjin Juilliard Orchestra is different from a professional ensemble, but without that experience, I wouldn’t have earned my current position right after graduation. The school carefully curated orchestral seasons and opportunities for students to work with world-class conductors and soloists. This taught me everything about being an orchestral musician—from rehearsal etiquette to communication with conductors, colleagues, and audiences. Those experiences built the professional foundation I rely on every day. Furthermore, the financial and career development grant I received, allowed me to focus entirely on my music, for which I’m endlessly grateful.
Do you have any advice for students considering applying to Tianjin Juilliard’s graduate programs?
At Tianjin Juilliard, you’ll find the finest faculty, world-class facilities, and the most supportive environment imaginable. The journey won’t always be easy—but it’s absolutely worth it!
