Jinny Lee
Instruments taught: Violin
Styles taught: Classical
Phone: (650) 379-5273
Email: jinnylee@jinnyleeviolin.com
Ages taught: 4+
Languages taught: Korean, English
Offers group lessons
Offers in-person & virtual lessons
Based in San Jose, CA
Jinny Lee, born in Seoul, South Korea, started studying the piano at the age of three and the violin at four years old. In her teenage years, she participated in various national music competitions, winning many of them, most notably the Music Education Competition and the Korean Herald News Competition.
During her time at Chung-Ang University (CAU), while pursuing a bachelor’s degree in violin performance, Lee won the CAU concerto competition, earning the opportunity to play as a soloist with the CAU orchestra. In 2013, she moved to the United States to study with the 1st violinist of the St. Petersburg String Quartet, Alla Aranovskaya. She participated in the St. Petersburg International Music Academy in Kansas, Texas, and Pennsylvania. Lee performed as a member of the Suprima Chamber Orchestra, which was established by the St. Petersburg Quartet.
Jinny Lee was accepted with a full scholarship into the studio of Ben Sayevich at Park University’s International School of Music in 2015, where she experienced the competitive environment of studying with young professional musicians. In the meantime, she was a section violinist in the Topeka Symphony Orchestra.
After completing her master's degree in 2017, Lee moved to the San Francisco Bay Area, where she earned her Orchestra Artist Diploma at the San Francisco Symphony Academy. This transformative period was marked by the invaluable mentorship and guidance she received from distinguished musicians, including David Chernyavsky and Catherine Van Hoesen. Their expertise and dedication to the craft profoundly influenced her approach to music, both as a performer and an educator.
Motivated by this rich learning experience, Lee founded Jinny’s Violin Studio upon her arrival in California. Here, she actively teaches the violin to students of all ages, skill levels, and cultural backgrounds. In her teaching, Lee integrates the lessons learned from her mentors, fostering an environment of excellence, creativity, and inclusivity. Through her studio, she continues to pass on the passion and precision she acquired from her esteemed teachers, enriching the musical journey of each student.
She is currently a principal 2nd violin player in Stockton Symphony and also plays in other Bay Area Orchestras such as Symphony San Jose, Santa Cruz Symphony, Berkeley Symphony, California Symphony, Sacramento Philharmonic, Modesto Symphony.
Jinny Lee's Teaching Philosophy - Inspiring Musicians of All Levels
My unique teaching method for the violin is based on my personal experience as a musician and teacher. When I see my students play, I pay close attention to their body mechanics, as playing the violin well requires playing at ease and with musical interpretation.
I used to struggle with many problems when I played the violin, including pain in different muscle parts. Solving these problems made my violin playing much more comfortable and enjoyable, which led me to develop my teaching method.
Through my past experience, I have learned which muscles and joints are not properly used when a performer struggles to play the violin. My job is to help my students identify and solve these problems, so they can enjoy creating music more.
In my teaching, I use specific techniques and strategies to correct body mechanics, overcome pain, and develop musical interpretation. I work closely with my students, providing feedback and guidance on how to improve their playing. I also use exercises and drills to reinforce good habits and help students overcome bad ones.
The effectiveness of my teaching method is demonstrated by the progress my students have made under my tutelage. Many of them have improved their playing and have become more confident musicians. I am proud of the impact my teaching has had on their lives.
In conclusion, my unique teaching method for the violin is grounded in my personal experience and expertise. By focusing on body mechanics, overcoming pain, and developing musical interpretation, I am able to help you improve your playing and enjoy creating music more. I invite you to try my method and experience the joy of playing the violin for yourself.