Lauded by the Washington Post for her “commanding presence,” and “deep ample resonance and rich, jewel toned voice,” Soprano JiYoung Lee is a rare vocal talent who presents passionate performances and genuine characters, always with a voice rich in emotion and color.

Ms.Lee received critical acclaim for her performances with the Washington National Opera (WNO). The Washington Post hailed her Gilda (Rigoletto) as “… angelic, with radiant sound in Caro nome’s high pianissimos and impressive pyrotechnic control.” In addition to Gilda (Rigoletto), Ms. Lee returned to Washington National Opera to sing the charming role of Nannetta in Falstaff with her “bright voice(s) and flair for a lyrical phrasing,” (Baltimore Sun). She also appeared in the New Year's Concert with Inhoen Philharmonic orchestra in Korea. And she successfully performed a grand concert with world renowned tenor Plácido Domingo in Seoul, Korea.

She also joined the roster of the Metropolitan Opera for Thaïs and Rusalka. Ms. Lee performed the roles of Sandman/Dew Fairy (Hansel and Gretel) with WNO. She had company debuts with Toledo Opera as Michaëla (Carmen) and with New York City Opera where her “lustrous, resonant soprano glowed in the music of the peasant girl Zerlina (Don Giovanni)” (New York Sun). Her Marie (La Fille du Regiment) “proved a delight, unveiling a bright, exuberantly youthful voice that trilled effortless through the composer’s most challenging passages. Her considerable skills as a comic actress made the evening sparkle with added gaiety” (Washington Times).

A former Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist with Washington National Opera (General Director: Plácido Domingo), Ms. Lee made her Washington debut as the Queen of the Night in the Young Artist Performance of Die Zauberflöte. Later that same year she debuted with the National Symphony Orchestra in a holiday concert, returning the next season to sing the role of Blondchen (Die Entführung aus dem Serail,) under the direction of Maestro Leonard Slatkin. Ms. Lee’s WNO Servilia (La Clemenza di Tito) was hailed as “captivating” (Washington Post), and her Woglinde (Das Rheingold), under the baton of Maestro Heinz Fricke, was praised for being sung “brightly and surely” (Opera News).

Born in South Korea, Ms. Lee has appeared throughout the United States, Germany, China and Korea as a soloist in numerous recitals and concert programs. In addition to performances with the National Symphony Orchestra, she has performed with the Boston Classical Orchestra, Opera North, Washington Masters Chorale and the Dartmouth Glee Club. She has been a featured soloist in Mozart’s c minor mass, Mozart’s Requiem , Beethoven’s Symphony No.9, Haydn's The Creation and Händel’s Messiah. An award winning artist, Ms. Lee has been a regional finalist of the Metropolitan Opera National Council and is a former winner of the NATS Song and Aria Competition, with special recognition for Best French Art Song Performance. Active on the operatic stage, Ms. Lee was honored to return to Korea to perform the role of Pamina in the Yonsei Opera production of Die Zauberflöte. She also performed the role of Marzelline (Fidelio). She has also appeared in the Welcome to Opera Concert, Strathmore Concert and 50th Anniversary Golden Gala Concert with Washington National Opera under the direction of Maestro Plácido Domingo.

Ms.Lee performed the Opera Gala Concert at the Ash Lawn Opera and appeared as a soprano soloist in Beethoven Symphony No.9 at the Toronto Centre for the Arts. Ms. Lee recently has performed her solo recital in Los Angeles. She also has performed as the soprano soloist in Mozart Requiem in Germany.