I-Hao Lee Joins Music Institute's Academy Faculty

The Music Institute of Chicago announces the appointment of noteworthy violinist I-Hao Lee, who joins a group of esteemed faculty members at the Academy, a training center for gifted pre-college musicians. Lee also teaches at The Juilliard School's Pre-College Division and DePaul University's School of Music.

"The Music Institute is thrilled to welcome I-Hao Lee to our Academy faculty," said Music Institute President and CEO Mark George. "His achievements as a violin teacher are truly remarkable. I am very impressed with his high energy and gracious collegiality."

Lee's active teaching career has culminated in notable achievements by his students, including top prizes at the Queen Elisabeth, Young Concert Artists, Sarasate, Sion-Valais (Tibor Varga), Cooper, and Postacchini International Competitions; an Avery Fisher Career Grant; and performances with major orchestras such as the Boston Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, Houston Symphony, Detroit Symphony OrchestraO and Mariinsky orchestra. Lee has given master classes throughout the U.S., China, and Taiwan and has taught violin and chamber music at Manhattanville College and the Great Mountains Music Festival and School. Born in Yilan, Taiwan, Lee received his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from The Juilliard School and his Doctor of Musical Arts from Stony Brook University. His major teachers include Dorothy DeLay and Hyo Kang. In addition to the Music Institute, Lee is a faculty member at The Juilliard School, DePaul University, and Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival in Vermont.

"In only a little more than a decade, the Academy has established itself as one of the preeminent pre-college music training programs in the country," said Lee. "I am honored and humbled to join this incredible artist faculty and to help nurture the next generation of amazing and brilliant young musicians." The Academy of the Music Institute of Chicago, led by Director James Setapen, is a nationally recognized training center for highly gifted pre-college pianists and string players that provides a comprehensive music education for students who aspire to be professional musicians. Faculty, staff, and students come together for an intensive 30-week program that includes private lessons with Academy artist faculty, a rigorous chamber music component, a stimulating chamber orchestra experience, and accelerated music theory classes. Pianists additionally study keyboard history and literature, improvisation, and keyboard skills in an intimate group setting. A hallmark of the Academy is the weekly master class when students perform for and observe acclaimed musicians and educators who share their knowledge. The Academy faculty, who teach at some of the country's most prestigious conservatories and music schools, have a passion for developing young talent and an established track record of student achievement.

Music Institute of Chicago
The Music Institute of Chicago is dedicated to transforming lives through music education. Founded in 1931, the Music Institute has grown to become one of the largest and most respected community music schools in the nation. Offering musical excellence built on the strength of its distinguished faculty, commitment to quality, and breadth of programs and services, the Music Institute is a member of the National Guild for Community Arts Education and accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Pre-collegiate Arts Schools (ACCPAS). Each year, the Music Institute's teachers reach thousands of students of all ages and levels of experience. Music Institute locations include Chicago, Evanston, Winnetka, Lincolnshire, Lake Forest, and Downers Grove. In addition, the Music Institute is proud of its longstanding partnership with the Chicago Public Schools through its Arts Link program. The Music Institute offers lessons and classes, and concerts through its Community Music School, Academy, and Nichols Concert Hall. Photo of I-Hao Lee by Raymond Huang.