Winner of the coveted 2024 Avery Fisher Career Grant, Korean-American violinist Julian Rhee has been recognized for his refinement, beauty of sound, and “the kind of poise and showmanship that thrills audiences” (The Strad). Lauded for his soulful lyricism, magnetic charisma, and passion for collaboration, Rhee brings expressive depth, technical mastery, and interpretive insight to both familiar and contemporary works, establishing himself as one of today’s most captivating young artists.
​
Rhee has appeared with leading orchestras across North America, Europe, and Asia, including the Calgary Philharmonic, Stuttgarter Kammerorchester, Oregon Symphony, Belgian National Orchestra, Milwaukee Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, Antwerp Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, Württemberg Chamber Orchestra of Heilbronn, and San Diego Symphony, among others. He has collaborated with distinguished conductors such as Alexander Shelley, Francesco Lecce-Chong, Nicolas McGegan, David Danzmayr, Rune Bergmann, Valentina Peleggi, Antony Hermus, and Leonard Slatkin. Recent and upcoming engagements include debuts with the European Orchestra Academy, Richmond Symphony, Gürzenich Orchestra, Pacific Symphony, Symphony in C, and Arkansas Symphony, with returns to the Eugene Symphony, ProMusica Chamber Orchestra, Madison Symphony, and Santa Rosa Symphony.
 
Following his prize-winning performances at the 2024 Queen Elisabeth International Violin Competition and his Silver Medal at the 11th Quadrennial International Violin Competition of Indianapolis, Rhee rose to international prominence as a soloist of remarkable artistry and maturity. He is also First Prize Winner of the Elmar Oliveira International Competition and Astral Artists’ National Auditions, and the recipient of numerous honors including the Aspen Festival’s Dorothy DeLay Fellowship, Arkady Fomin Scholarship Fund, and Manfred Grommek Prize from the Kronberg Academy. A U.S. Presidential Scholar, he received his medal at the White House and serves as a Young Strings of America Ambassador sponsored by SHAR Music.
 
A dedicated chamber musician, Rhee is the newest member of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center’s Bowers Program, appearing regularly at Alice Tully Hall and on tour. He has performed at leading festivals including Marlboro, Ravinia Steans Institute, Bridgehampton, Music@Menlo, Rockport Music, and North Shore Chamber Music Festivals, and this season makes debuts at the Kingston Chamber Music Festival and as Artist in Residence at the Durango Music Festival.
 
Rhee received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the New England Conservatory, where he was teaching assistant to Miriam Fried, and currently studies with Christian Tetzlaff at the Kronberg Academy. He performs on the extraordinary 1699 “Lady Tennant” Antonio Stradivari violin and a Jean Pierre Marie Persoit bow, on extended loan through the generosity of the Mary B. Galvin Foundation and the Stradivari Society, a division of Bein & Fushi, Inc.
 
​​​