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Biography
A Life in Music: Performer and Educator
Kwan Shik Lee’s
Musical Journey
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Lee’s Early Years & Musical Foundation
Korean pianist Kwan Shik Lee is renowned for his refined melodic phrasing and deeply expressive interpretations. His distinguished academic journey includes earning a Bachelor’s Degree with Honors in South Korea, a Performer Diploma from Indiana University Bloomington (USA), and both a Master of Music and an Artist Diploma from the University of Cincinnati (USA), where he received a Graduate Scholarship. He later pursued a Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of Hartford (USA) on a full scholarship.
Lee’s exceptional musical talent was recognized early, earning him numerous awards in competitions. During his university years, he actively performed in various capacities, including recitals, concertos, and accompaniment, at prestigious venues such as Ye-eum Hall, Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, Youngsan Art Hall, and the Warsaw Chopin Museum in Poland. Notably, his performance as a soloist at the University Orchestra Festival was broadcast live on the Korean Broadcasting System. These experiences expanded his artistic horizons and laid the foundation for his career as a professional musician.
Further Studies & Achievements
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After moving to the United States for further studies, Lee was selected for The Hartt School’s highly competitive Performance 20/20 chamber music program and received the Evelyn Bonar Storrs Piano Scholarship. He won 1st Prize and Best Asian Performer at the Concurso de Piano del Internacional de Música de Barcelona Ciutat in Spain. Additionally, he participated in masterclasses across France, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Spain, and beyond, refining his artistry.
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Lee has performed solo recitals across the United States, Europe, and Asia. In the U.S., his appearances included Young Artist Recitals, Cincinnati Korean Concerts, and PRISM and Performance 20/20 recitals at The Hartt School, where he showcased his passion for solo, duo, chamber, and ensemble performances.
Professional Career & Teaching
Upon his return to South Korea, Lee was invited to participate in the Home Coming Recital of Sejong Chamber Hall in 2009. He participated in prominent projects such as:
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Beethoven Sonata Complete Music Series
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Liszt Complete Etude Series
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Korea-China Contemporary Music Festival
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Sorimok 30th Annual Concert
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Festivals honoring the bicentennial of Haydn’s death and Mendelssohn’s birth
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Korean Music Professor Council Concert
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Seraphim Ensemble Concert
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KlavierSOUL, held at Sungnam Art Center, Seoul Arts Center Recital Hall, KT Chamber Hall, and Ilshin Hall
He has performed regularly since returning home, adapting each of his programs to tell a meaningful and characteristic story. Lee’s innovative recital programs, including “Beyond Happiness” (2015), “Emotions” (2017), and “Beethoven Piano Sonatas” (2018), were performed at leading venues such as IBK Chamber Hall in Seoul Arts Center, Sejong Chamber Hall, and Kumho Art Hall. These performances earned stipends from the Arts Council of Korea for their artistic excellence.
In addition, Lee has appeared as a concerto soloist with esteemed orchestras such as the Sejong Philharmonic and the Ulsan Symphony Orchestra. His international engagements have taken him to stages around the globe, where his profound musicality continues to enthrall audiences.
In addition to his performance career, Lee is a dedicated educator. He served as a Teaching Assistant to Professor Luiz de Moura Castro at The Hartt School and held visiting assistant professor positions at Myungji University and Myungji College. He has also taught at Gachon University, Konkuk University (both undergraduate and graduate levels), and Seoul Theological University, nurturing and inspiring the next generation of musicians. As a founding member of the acclaimed three-pianist ensemble KlavierSOUL, Lee continues to push the boundaries of dynamic and innovative performance styles.
Present & Musical Endeavors
Now based in Malaysia, Kwan Shik Lee actively engages in diverse musical activities worldwide, including solo recitals in major Malaysian cities and serving as a juror at international competitions. His unwavering passion for music and dedication to fostering global artistic exchange have firmly established him as a prominent figure in the international classical music scene.
