Jimin Lee: Voice Instructor

Jimin Lee (originally from Daejeon, South Korea) is an accomplished soprano who has won numerous awards at prestigious competitions worldwide. In South Korea, she won second place at the esteemed Sinye Music Competition in 2011 and received the ‘PADAF’ Music Award in 2016. In the U.S., she won the Kenwood Symphony Orchestra’s 22nd Annual Masters Concerto and Aria Competition and performed as a soloist with that symphony orchestra in 2021.

Jimin earned her Bachelor of Music in voice from the prestigious Sookmyung Women’s University in Seoul. She then acquired a Master of Music in voice performance from the University of Texas at Austin. She is currently a lyric soprano candidate pursuing doctoral studies in Voice Performance at the University of Minnesota School of Music in Minneapolis, studying under Victoria Vargas.

Jimin started her concert career at the Daejeon Philharmonic Orchestra’s Young Artist Debut Concert in 2014. Throughout her career in Korea, she performed various operatic roles, such as Contessa from Le Nozze di Figaro at Sookmyung Women’s University, Magda from La Rondine, Donna Anna from Don Giovanni, Marguerite in Faust, and Nedda in I Pagliacci. In the U.S., her musical roles include the First Lady in The Magic Flute, Blanche in Dialogues des Carmélites, and the Governess in The Turn of the Screw. She also performed as Donna Anna during a Chicago summer program.

Jimin has over eight years of experience teaching voice students of diverse ages and abilities, covering both classical and contemporary genres. While in South Korea, her primary role was to prepare students for university entrance exams with a strong focus on classical techniques. At the University of Texas, she prepared non-major students for their end-of-semester recitals, covering the basics of vocal cords and methods of sound projection.

Currently, Jimin’s students range from 6-year-olds to older adults. She is adept at tailoring her teaching style to a wide range of student ages and abilities from beginners to advanced. She believes in every student’s potential to succeed and patiently guides students to reach their musical goals.

As a voice teacher, Jimin recognizes that each student has unique vocal qualities, musical preferences, and
learning styles and customizes her teaching strategies according to what is needed. For young students in particular, her priority is to uncover and nurture what is of strong interest to them.

Vocal health is paramount in Jimin’s teaching approach. She views the voice (vocal cords) as a resource that students must learn to use wisely. Furthermore, the overall health of body and mind is vital for singers. As musicians who use their entire bodies as instruments, singers have a responsibility to incorporate elements of body awareness, mental preparation, and emotional connection in their practice. Jimin provides students with the information and tools they need to sustain healthy vocal use. This involves emphasizing proper breath support, posture, and vocalization. Lessons begin with warm-up exercises and a variety of vocalizations.

Jimin believes that being a singer means being a performer and to that end, she helps prepare students for practical performance situations. This includes working on stage presence, interpretation, improvisation, and audience engagement.

Jimin understands the value of collaboration and building connections with other performers and students. She encourages students to learn from each other and collaborate on projects such as duets, small ensembles, and choirs.

Diversity and inclusivity are cornerstones of Jimin’s teaching philosophy. She considers it her responsibility as an educator to not only teach music, but also to prepare her students to engage empathetically and respectfully with the diverse world around them. Jimin is dedicated to creating a safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environment where students of all backgrounds feel welcomed, valued, and empowered. She respects and embraces diversity in all its forms, including race, age, gender, culture, and ability, and recognizes that a diverse learning environment enriches everyone’s educational experience.

As an international student in the U.S., she has personally experienced what it feels like to be in the minority. This experience has instilled in her a deep understanding and empathy for those who might feel marginalized or overlooked. Jimin is highly motivated to make sure her teaching environment is free from such disparities. Her commitment to diversity extends beyond just respecting differences. She actively strives to challenge biases, stereotypes, and prejudices, both in herself and in her students, turning the classroom into a space for growth and understanding.

Single Lessons:
30 min. – $45
45 min. – $60
60 min. – $70

Billing and Payment:
Payment must be made in advance or at the time of the lesson.

Jimin accepts payment via check, Venmo, and Zelle

Cancellations:
Lessons cancelled with notice of at least 24 hours in advance may be rescheduled without any charge. Student cancellations with less than 24 hours’ notice of the lesson time will be charged. Should Jimin need to cancel, the lesson will be rescheduled within one week.

Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays before 2 pm