“An artist of exceptional ability, distinguishing himself as a remarkable performer, teacher and ambassador of the saxophone in ways that have become indispensable in his field.”
Described by New York Concert Review as “A knockout performance”, classical saxophonist Wonki Lee has distinguished himself as one of leading saxophonists of his generation. Feeling equally at home in traditional and contemporary repertoire, Mr. Lee has won the top prize at Vandoren Emerging Artist Competition. His musical exploration has encompassed fascinations with history of saxophone repertoire and interpreting original works for saxophone with new insights and understandings.
“Incomparable technical prowess, wide range of
colorful palette, and flawless tonal control”
-Reiko Füting, contemporary composer
Mr. Lee’s artistic mission is to share the sheer beauty of the saxophone tone and its music to enrich lives of listeners. As a recording artist, he has released four solo albums (American Sonatas, Air-Songs for the Saxophone, French Masterpieces vol.1, and Respectfully Yours). Currently, he is working on a new album Masterworks for the Saxophone - American Sonatas from two millennia, which features a prodigious work by David Maslanka and William Albright. As a soloist, Mr. Lee’s engagements extend globally, including solo recitals at La Plantation in Beijing, Seoul Arts Center in Seoul, Yamaha Japan, and the Lincoln Center in New York. In 2023, Mr. Lee appeared as a guest artist in Lotte Concert Hall in Seoul and gave a sold-out recital in Tokyo, performing all American program to Japanese audiences. As a Yamaha Performing Artist, Mr. Lee has given recitals showcasing Yamaha custom saxophones and explore their potentials through performing significant works for the saxophone. He exclusively plays the Yamaha Custom 875 EX saxophones.
As an advocate of contemporary music written by composers of his generation, Mr. Lee has premiered numerous new works ranging from solo to orchestral and contributed to the addition of over 20 works, including three new saxophone concertos by Susan Botti, Thiago Tiberio, and Avner Finberg. Upcoming project will include commissioning and premiering of new saxophone concertos by Eric Funk and Joel Love. As well as solo performances, Mr. Lee is an avid orchestral saxophonist. He has collaborated with numerous conductors, such as Leonard Slatkin, Robert Spano, and Philippe Entremont. He has appeared with the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, Tokyo Wind Symphony Orchestra, New World Symphony Orchestra, Bridgeport Symphony Orchestra, and Bozeman Symphony. Prior to moving to Bozeman, Mr. Lee served as a principal saxophonist of the New York Wind Orchestra.
As a clinician, Mr. Lee continuously engages in masterclasses and lectures in the U.S. and Asia, sharing his expertise in saxophone pedagogy with aspiring young saxophonists. Recent appearances include Tokyo College of Music, Korea National University of Arts, and Juilliard School. Currently, Mr. Lee holds teaching positions at Montana State University, where he is an Assistant Teaching Professor of Saxophone and at Manhattan School of Music, where he is a faculty member of the pre-college division.
Born to Korean parents living in Tokyo, Mr. Lee began to study the saxophone at age thirteen and soon moved to New York City where he received his training at Manhattan School of Music. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) degree from Manhattan School of Music. He studied with Akemi Endo, Shiro Hatae, Nobuya Sugawa, and Dr. Paul Cohen.
Mr. Lee is an artist for the Classically Connected Inc. and Price Attractions Management.
“As a Yamaha Performing Artist, Mr. Lee exclusively plays the Yamaha Custom 875 EX saxophones”