Korean pianist Kwan Shik Lee is acclaimed for his sophisticated melodic phrasing, deep expressive interpretation, and refined artistic sensitivity. Recognized for his exceptional musical talent from an early age, Lee has established an active international career as a soloist, chamber musician, and educator.

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He received his bachelor’s degree with honors in South Korea and pursued advanced studies in the United States, earning a Performer Diploma from Indiana University Bloomington. He later completed both a Master of Music and an Artist Diploma at the University of Cincinnati College–Conservatory of Music, where he was awarded a Graduate Scholarship. Lee continued his doctoral studies at the University of Hartford (The Hartt School), where he pursued a Doctor of Musical Arts degree on a full scholarship.

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During his studies and early career, Lee performed extensively in major venues including Seoul Arts Center, Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, Youngsan Art Hall, and the Warsaw Chopin Museum in Poland. After relocating to the United States, he was selected for The Hartt School’s highly competitive Performance 20/20 Chamber Music Program and awarded the Evelyn Bonar Storrs Piano Scholarship. He has received numerous prizes in national competitions in South Korea and in international piano competitions, particularly winning 1st Prize and Best Asian Performer at the Concurso Internacional de Música de Barcelona Ciutat in Spain. He also participated in numerous masterclasses across France, Belgium, the Czech Republic, and Spain, and his performances have spanned the United States, Europe, and Asia.

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After returning to South Korea, Lee was invited to present a Homecoming Recital at Sejong Chamber Hall, and has since presented annual solo recitals, each conceived around an original and distinctive artistic theme. His notable projects include the Complete Beethoven Piano Sonata Series, the Complete Liszt Étude Series, contemporary music festivals, and commemorative concerts honoring Haydn and Mendelssohn. His thematic recital projects—Beyond Happiness (2015), Emotions (2017), and Beethoven Piano Sonatas (2018)—were presented at IBK Chamber Hall (Seoul Arts Center), Sejong Chamber Hall, and Kumho Art Hall, and were all selected for funding by the Arts Council of Korea. He has appeared as a concerto soloist with the Sejong Philharmonic Orchestra and the Ulsan Symphony Orchestra, and continues to receive invitations to perform internationally.

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An equally dedicated educator, Lee began his teaching career as a Teaching Assistant to Professor Luiz de Moura Castro at The Hartt School. He has taught at Gachon University, Konkuk University (for both undergraduate and graduate programs), and Seoul Theological University, and served as a Visiting Professor at Myungji University and Myungji College. With nearly three decades of teaching experience, he has mentored numerous young pianists and is a founding member of the three-piano ensemble KlavierSOUL, known for its innovative and dynamic artistry.

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Currently based in Malaysia, Kwan Shik Lee maintains an active performance schedule, presenting solo recitals in major cities including Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh, Melaka, and Johor Bahru, while continuing an active career as both a performer and educator internationally. He is currently active as an exclusive artist of SoopStage, and remains deeply committed to artistic excellence and the nurturing of the next generation of musicians.