Julia Hwakyu Lee, PSU School of Music & Theater professor of piano, has been nominated for the Steinway & Sons Music Teacher Hall of Fame, a prestigious designation recognizing the work of North America’s most committed and passionate piano educators.
A cohort of 66 teachers from the United States and Canada were inducted into the Hall of Fame in the fall ceremonies. Teachers were selected for this award for their outstanding instruction and leadership in acoustic piano education and their commitment to teaching in their community for over a decade. Each teacher inducted into the Hall of Fame is part of the Steinway Teacher & Educational Partner Program (STEP) and was nominated by a Steinway & Sons showroom in the teacher’s home region. The teachers’ names are now displayed on a commemorative display wall inside the iconic factory.
“Being inducted into the Steinway & Sons Music Teacher Hall of Fame is a tremendous honor,” Lee said. “I am deeply grateful to my students and colleagues, whose dedication and curiosity continually inspire my teaching, and to Steinway & Sons for their long-standing commitment to musical excellence and education.”
A dedicated performer and educator, Julia Hwakyu Lee launched her career by winning the gold prize at the Hankook Ilbo competition. Her achievements include securing accolades in the Yeum Chamber Music Competition and Beethoven Competition, receiving the Collins Scholarship Award and the Gillmore Fellowship, and a wide range of collaborative performances with the Seoul l’ Musici Chamber Ensemble, Wisconsin Chamber Symphony, Ulsan String Players Chamber Orchestra, Southwest Washington Wind Symphony, Camerata Chonnam and PSU Orchestra.
As piano area coordinator at Portland State University, Dr. Lee is committed to nurturing emerging students. Her students have achieved notable success, winning local and international competitions, in addition to collaborating with prestigious orchestras and securing scholarships and assistantships at renowned U.S. universities.
“Dr. Julia Lee proves to be an inspirational force of nature in our piano area. Her recruiting efforts are already bearing fruits, and her performances - both solo and collaborative - bring eager audiences to Lincoln Hall,” said Chuck Dillard, professor of piano and director of the School of Music & Theater. “Her successes are proven, and I cannot wait to see what our piano students can achieve that come from her program!”
About Steinway & Sons:
Since 1853, Steinway pianos have set an uncompromising standard for sound, touch, beauty, and value. Because of a dedication to continuous improvement, today’s Steinway remains the choice of 9 out of 10 concert artists, and it is the preferred piano of countless musicians, professional and amateur, throughout the world.