Korean-American violinist Julian Rhee is widely admired for his refinement, beauty of sound, and expressive presence onstage. Winner of the 2024 Avery Fisher Career Grant, Rhee has been praised by The Strad for “the kind of poise and showmanship that thrills audiences,” and is recognized for his soulful lyricism, interpretive insight, and passion for collaboration across a wide-ranging repertoire.
Rhee has appeared as soloist with orchestras throughout North America, Europe, and Asia, including the Calgary Philharmonic, Belgian National Orchestra, Antwerp Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, Milwaukee Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, Oregon Symphony, and Stuttgarter Kammerorchester, among others. He has collaborated with conductors such as Leonard Slatkin, Nicolas McGegan, Alexander Shelley, Valentina Peleggi, and Rune Bergmann. Recent and upcoming engagements include debuts with the Richmond Symphony, Pacific Symphony, Gürzenich Orchestra, and Arkansas Symphony, alongside return performances with the Madison Symphony and ProMusica Chamber Orchestra.
Rhee rose to international prominence following his prize-winning performances at the 2024 Queen Elisabeth International Violin Competition and his Silver Medal at the Indianapolis International Violin Competition. He is also a First Prize winner of the Elmar Oliveira International Violin Competition and Astral Artists’ National Auditions, and has received numerous honors including the Dorothy DeLay Fellowship at the Aspen Music Festival, the Manfred Grommek Prize from the Kronberg Academy, and recognition as a U.S. Presidential Scholar.
A devoted chamber musician, Rhee is the newest member of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center’s Bowers Program, performing regularly at Alice Tully Hall and on national tours. He has appeared at leading festivals including Marlboro, Music@Menlo, Ravinia’s Steans Institute, Bridgehampton, Rockport Music, and North Shore Chamber Music Festival. This season marks his debut at the Kingston Chamber Music Festival and his appointment as Artist in Residence at the Durango Music Festival.
Rhee earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the New England Conservatory, where he served as a teaching assistant to Miriam Fried, and currently studies with Christian Tetzlaff at the Kronberg Academy. He performs on the 1699 “Lady Tennant” Antonio Stradivari violin, on extended loan through the generosity of the Mary B. Galvin Foundation and the Stradivari Society.
