GaYoung Lee, renowned for her sensitive playing, colorful timbres, expressive tone, and her ability to seamlessly “blend the sound and elevate musical synergy” with fellow musicians, has established herself as both a solo pianist and a collaborative pianist across various distinguished venues.
GaYoung’s exceptional talents have shone through her piano solo performances at recitals and in masterclasses led by internationally recognized musicians, including Simone Dinnerstein, Philipp Vogker, Yonghee Chun, and Barry Snyder. Her musical journey has also led her to participate in International Music Festivals held at the Saint Petersburg Conservatory, Russia, and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Glasgow, New England. As a collaborative pianist, she founded the Potomac Piano Trio with Najin Kim, violin and Davin Lee, cello, and have had numerous chamber music recitals throughout the United States. She has been privileged to collaborate with esteemed professionals, comprising members of the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra, faculty members at George Mason University, and Maryland University.
In a recent highlight, GaYoung Lee took part in the world premiere of ‘Nocturno,’ a composition by the prominent American artist Henry Dehlinger, where she shared the stage with the accomplished Danielle Talamantes, Soprano and David Portillo, Tenor at Mexican Cultural Institute.
GaYoung also extends to her role as a vocal pianist. She has served as a piano collaborator for entrance auditions at the Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music at George Mason University. she also fulfilled the role of an Opera Principal Collaborative Pianist at Catholic University in Korea and has worked with Mason’s Opera Productions at George Mason University since 2017. Beyond her extensive vocal repertoire, GaYoung possesses a wealth of collaborative experience, engaging with musicians of diverse disciplines—strings, woodwinds, brass, and vocal. She has actively partnered with internationally acclaimed instrumentalists across the United States and has generously offered mentorship to talented young artists through recitals and masterclasses.
Currently pursuing her Doctoral degree in Piano Performance at George Mason University under the esteemed guidance of Dr. Linda Apple Monson, Director of the School of Music, GaYoung Lee also contributes as a Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) in collaborative piano. In this capacity, she enriches the musical education of instrumental and vocal students by offering guidance in recitals, lessons, and masterclasses, in addition to providing invaluable rehearsal coaching. GaYoung’s academic journey encompasses a Master of Music degree in Piano Performance from George Mason University, a Bachelor of Music Degree in Piano Performance from the Catholic University of Korea, and supplementary studies at the Ewha Womans Graduate School of Music in Seoul.
Her remarkable achievements have garnered numerous awards and scholarships, including the prestigious Achievement Award in Graduate Performance, the Dr. Linda Apple Monson Endowment Award, and the College of Visual and Performing Arts Scholarship Award in 2019. GaYoung’s piano prowess has graced prominent events like the Grand Piano Celebration Recital, Arts by George, and Mason Honors Recital since 2017. She achieved First Prize from The Piano Society of Korea and secured Second Place in both the Young Artist Piano Concours and Brahms Concours. Notably, GaYoung Lee clinched a gold medal in the esteemed 2021 Grand Maestro International Music Competition and a silver medal in the 2021 North American Virtuoso International Music Competition. Her exceptional talents were further acknowledged when she emerged as a winner in Mason’s 2022 Concerto competition, delivering a captivating performance of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 alongside the Mason Symphony Orchestra.
