Sarah Lee

Sarah Lee, age 17, is a junior at Westview High School. She began playing cello at the age of eight and currently studies with Hyun-Jin Kim. Sarah is a member of the Portland Youth Philharmonic and Camerata PYP, where she currently serves as principal. An active soloist, she had the privilege of being selected to perform with members of the Oregon Symphony by winning the 2023 MetroArts Young Artists Debut! Competition. She also had the privilege to solo with Camerata PYP by winning the 2023 PYP Concerto competition. Sarah is a winner of the 2022 National Federation of Music Clubs Mary Cox Award, the 2022 Eugene Symphony Guild Young Artist Competition, the 2022 New York International Classical Music Competition, the Best Bach Performance-the Music of Europe of Great Composers Competition 2021, and the 2021 Grand Metropolitan International Music Competition. In addition, she was the winner of the 2022 Philadelphia International Music Festival Concerto Competition and the 2021 Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Oregon State Junior String Competition. In 2023, she was the state winner of the 2023 Oregon Music Education Association (OMEA) State Solo Contest and State Chamber Ensemble Contest. Sarah also was the first place winner of the 2023 MTNA Oregon State Senior String Performance Competition and was selected as the alternate winner at the Northwest Division.

She took part in the OMEA All-State Orchestra since freshman year and was honored to have been a part of the 2022 All-National Honors Ensembles Symphony Orchestra and All-Northwest Orchestra as principal. She has participated in renowned music camps such as the Philadelphia International Music Camp & Festival, studying with Hai Ye-Ni, International Cello Institute Camp, Vivace Music Festival, Boston University Tanglewood Institute (BUTI), and Chamber Music Camp of Portland. Sarah has also participated in master classes taught by Norman Fischer, Priscilla Lee, Hannah Roberts, Bonnie Thron, Steven Doane, Rosemary Elliott, Antonio Meneses, and the Catalyst Quartet.

Sarah wants to use her love of music to benefit and heal communities that have yet to experience the joys of music. Through benefit concerts, nursing home performances, and volunteer opportunities, she is slowly making her way towards spreading her love of music. Besides playing cello, Sarah enjoys playing piano, soccer, skiing, reading, and hanging out with her friends.

(Spring 2024)