Dr. JinUk Lee has established an extensive and distinguished career as a baritone soloist, with performances in both Korea and the United States. He is especially recognized for his interpretations of oratorio repertoire, including the baritone solos in Handel’s Messiah and Haydn’s The Creation. His early vocal training was with Professor InSoo Park in South Korea, followed by advanced studies with Andreas Poulimenos and Carol Vaness at Indiana University.
At Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, Dr. Lee appeared in numerous leading roles, including Germont in La Traviata under David Effron and director Tito Capobianco. He also performed as Zurga in The Pearl Fishers, Silvio in Pagliacci, and the Count in Le nozze di Figaro under the mentorship of Carol Vaness. His versatility extended to lighter and modern repertoire, where he portrayed Papageno in Die Zauberflöte and Tiger Brown in The Threepenny Opera. His artistry was recognized with showcase recital honors and the Outstanding Performance Award in Ohio’s Honors Assembly.
Dr. Lee is the recipient of numerous awards and scholarships. His distinctions include first prize at the National Artistic Vocal Competition in Korea, second prize at the Indianapolis Matinee Musicale Competition, and first place at the National Association of Teachers of Singing Competition. He was a finalist in the Mario Lanza International Singing Competition in Italy, received the Sweet Adelines International Award from the Young Singers Foundation, the Albert Rees Davis Scholarship from the S. Livingston Mather Competition in Cleveland, and the Merit Award Scholarship at Indiana University. He also served for three years as opera assistant at the University of Illinois Lyric Theatre, performing roles such as Ford in Falstaff, the Street Singer in The Threepenny Opera, and Riolobo in Florencia en el Amazonas.
Currently, Dr. Lee is Professor and Director of the Master of Arts in Worship (Korean Track) at Northern Seminary in Chicago, IL, and serves as music director of four choirs in the Chicagoland area. He holds degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (DMA), Ohio University (MA), Indiana University at Bloomington (PD), and Kyungpook National University (BA). His teaching career began at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana, and he continues to be represented professionally by Vocal Artists Management as a baritone soloist.
In addition to his academic and performance career, Dr. Lee actively engages with media to share his artistry. He has been featured in broadcasts and interviews with Far East Broadcasting Company (FEBC) in Seoul and Daejeon, MCTV-Chicago Win Media, and GOODTV in Korea. Looking ahead, his performance schedule includes collaborations with distinguished artists in both the United States and Korea, with upcoming engagements at the Chicago Korean Cultural Center and FEBC in Seoul and Daejeon.
Dr. JinUk Lee’s distinguished career as performer, teacher, and leader reflects his exceptional artistry and dedication to advancing music on the stage, in the classroom, and within the community.