Winner of a 2024 Avery Fisher Career Grant, Korean-American violinist Julian Rhee is quickly gaining recognition as an emerging artist and performer, praised for his "sophisticated, assured tone, superb intonation, and the kind of poise and showmanship that thrills audiences." (The Strad ) 

 

An avid soloist, Julian made his Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra debut at age 8, and has gone on to perform with orchestras such as the Indianapolis Symphony, Santa Rosa Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, Aspen Philharmonic, East Coast Chamber, Eugene Symphony, Brevard Symphony, Fresno Philharmonic, Madison Symphony, New England Conservatory Symphony, the Wisconsin Chamber, and San Diego Symphony, among others. He has performed in an array of venues including Ravinia’s Bennett Gordon Hall, Heinz Hall, the Overture Center for the Arts, Teatro El Círculo in Rosario, Argentina, The Musikverein in Vienna, Bartok Hall in Hungary, New World Center, and the John F Kennedy Center as a US Presidential Scholar, receiving his medal at the White House. Highlights of his 2023-2024 season include appearances with the Madison Symphony, Washington Chamber, Waterbury Symphony, Württemberg Chamber Orchestra of Heilbronn, and Indianapolis Chamber Orchestras, as well as a production of Lera Auerbach's 24 Preludes with the Hamburg Ballet. 

 

Julian is the Silver Medalist of The 11th Quadrennial International Violin Competition of Indianapolis, winner of Astral Artists’ National Auditions, the first prize winner of the 2020 Elmar Oliveira International Competition, where he was also awarded the special Community Award, and the 2018 Johansen International Competition for Young String Players. Other awards include the Aspen Festival's Dorothy DeLay Fellowship, Theodore Presser Scholar Award, The Foote Award 2024, and the Manfred Grommek Prize from the Kronberg Academy. Julian is a Young Strings of America Ambassador sponsored by SHAR Music.

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A member of Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center CMS’s Bowers Program beginning in 2024, Julian has performed at and attended festivals including the Ravinia Steans Institute, Marlboro Festival, Rockport Music, and North Shore Chamber Music Festivals, performing alongside esteemed musicians such as Vadim Gluzman, Jonathan Biss, Mitsuko Uchida, Kim Kashkashian, and Peter Wiley. He has also appeared alongside Time For Three on NPR's From the Top, Jupiter Chamber Players, Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts, WQXR's Young Artists Showcase, Milwaukee Public Television, and Wisconsin Public Radio and Television. Julian studied with Hye-Sun Lee and Almita Vamos at the Music Institute of Chicago Academy. He received his bachelor’s degree and is currently pursuing a master’s degree as teaching assistant of Miriam Fried at the New England Conservatory.

 

Rhee is the recipient of the outstanding 1699 "Lady Tennant" Antonio Stradivari violin and Jean Pierre Marie Persoit bow on extended loan through the generosity of the Mary B. Galvin Foundation and the efforts of the Stradivari Society, a division of Bein & Fushi, Inc. The Mary B. Galvin Foundation, Inc. and the Stradivari Society support the very highest level of string playing by loaning precious antique Italian instruments to artists of exceptional talent and ability.