Biography
Described by New York Concert Review as “A knockout performance,” classical saxophonist Wonki Lee has distinguished himself as one of the leading saxophonists of his generation. Feeling equally at home in traditional and contemporary repertoires, Mr. Lee’s musical exploration has encompassed fascination with the history of saxophone repertoire and interpreting original works for saxophone with new insights and understandings.
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 Masterpieces for the Saxophone - American Sonatas from two millennia, which features a prodigious work by David Maslanka and Willam 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 projects will include premiering new saxophone concertos by American composers 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 Professor of Saxophone.
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 the Manhattan School of Music. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Manhattan School of Music.
Research Interests
Saxophone Repertoire
Saxophone Pedagogy
Teaching Interests
Applied Saxophone
Saxophone Quartet
Saxophone Ensemble
Music Entrepreneurship
Selected Intellectual Contributions
Selected Creative & Artistic Contributions
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Lee, W., Gosswiller, J., Sung, J., , .
Wonki Lee Saxophone Recital
[Music Performance - Full Solo Recital]
(2024).
Shane Lalani Center for the Arts - Livingston, MT.
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Lee, W.
Concerto for Saxophone Quartet and Wind Ensemble by David Maslanka
[Music Performance - Free-lance]
(2024).
Montana State University School of Music - Bozeman, MT.
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Lee, W.
Soloist - Escapades for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra by John Williams conducted by Norman Huynh
[Music Performance - Free-lance]
(2024).
Bozeman Symphony Orchestra - Bozeman, MT.
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Lee, W.
Masterworks for the Saxophone – American Sonatas from Two Millennia
[Recording ]
(2024).
Clarinet & Saxophone Classics Recording - Samek Music, East Sussex, UK.
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Stark, N., Lee, W.
Joel Love - "Solace" Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Wind Ensemble (2018)
[Music Performance - Free-lance]
(2023).
Montana State University - Bozeman, MT.
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Lee, W.
Respectfully Yours - Saxophone Works by Andy Scott
[Recording ]
(2023).
Brooklyn, NY .
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Lee, W.
Coffee Cantata and Cabaret
[Music Performance - Participation]
(2023).
LOTTE Foundation for Art - Lotte Concert Hall, Seoul, South Korea .
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Lee, W.
Saxophone Masterclass
[Music - Adjudicator, Clinician, or Consultant]
(2023).
IMANI Winds Chamber Music Festival - Juilliard School, NYC .
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Lee, W.
Saxophone Masterclass
[Music - Adjudicator, Clinician, or Consultant]
(2023).
Korea National University of Arts - Seoul, South Korea .
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Lee, W.
Saxophone Masterclass
[Music - Adjudicator, Clinician, or Consultant]
(2023).
Yamaha Music Japan - Tokyo, Japan .
Selected Awards
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Dean's Excellence Award (2023)
Montana State University College of Arts & Architecture
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Certificate of Excellence (2022)
Prima Volta Music Competition
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The Helen Cohn Award (2019)
Manhattan School of Music
