2026 Arkady Fomin Scholarship Fund recipient
Jiyu Lee, 18, is a violinist based in Fullerton, California. She is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in violin performance at Northwestern University, where she studies with Jinjoo Cho. Throughout her studies, Jiyu has had the opportunity to work with renowned musicians, such as Vadim Gluzman, Stella Chen, Midori, Almita Vamos, Julian Rhee, Henry Gronnier, and Hwieun Kim.
Jiyu is a National YoungArts Competition winner, a finalist in the CalASTA State Solo Competition, Edith Knox Concerto Competition, and Hennings Fischer Young Artist Competition. As a soloist, she has performed with numerous orchestras, including the Orange County Collective Orchestra, the Antelope Valley Symphony Orchestra, the Orange County School of the Arts Symphony Orchestra and the Bellflower Symphony Orchestra. With over eight years of chamber experience, she is a part of the Honors Chamber Music Institute at the Colburn School, guided by Moni Simeonov. In 2025, the Doxa Quartet, coached by Gina Coletti, claimed both first place and the grand prize at the National Coltman Chamber Music Competition, as well as the silver medal at the Fischoff International Chamber Music Competition. Recently, Doxa Quartet was selected to record for NPR’s From the Top, which will be broadcast later this year.
Jiyu has enriched her artistry by attending summer festivals such as Music in the Mountain’s Violin Academy, Meadowmount School of Music, Encore Chamber Institute, Amici Summer Music Festival, Los Angeles Youth Philharmonic, and Soundingpoint Academy. She also participated in NYO2, where she served as concertmaster in 2023 and assistant concertmaster in 2024.
Apart from her musical pursuits, Jiyu enjoys hanging out with her friends and walking her dog, Breezie.