Meet Jiyeon Julie Lee | Composer & Orchestrator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jiyeon Julie Lee and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jiyeon Julie, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
Just like others in LA, I was and am a hard worker. Since I had a home studio in my room, I worked from the moment I opened my eyes till I closed them. I got anxious very easily if not working, thus, I was sitting at my desk even though I didn’t have any project which was quite common for a recently graduated young composer. In the end, my body was yelling at me not to do so. I tried to find a balance between my work and my life. I set the exact work hour like 9-5 jobs that works for me and try to keep it as much as possible. I shut off my working brain once a week to chill and do something totally unrelated. It’s hard to do so with all the due dates and freelancing, though I’m trying to balance out to be able to work and enjoy the work in the long term.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I started off as a classical composer, but over time, I felt drawn to scoring for media. I’ve always loved how music elevates storytelling. I’ve scored indie films, games, and a documentary, and now I’m working on my first feature film. It’s been an exciting journey, shifting from concert halls to composing for visual media.

Shortly after I graduated from music school in Korea, I realized that my ultimate dream was to score for Disney animation. I packed up and headed to LA, which turned out to be the best decision I ever made. While I haven’t scored for Disney yet, I’m optimistic—it’s definitely a goal I’m working toward.

I’ve always had broad musical tastes. Growing up, I listened to both K-pop and classical music, and now I love combining the two. The feedback has been really positive so far. People enjoy hearing classical music framed in a way that feels familiar to them, and I hope to one day perform all of my arrangements live.

I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with Nahre Sol, a classical music YouTuber known for her creative approach to music. I’ve also participated in the Never Forgotten concert and the Kyobo Novelier concert, which were both amazing experiences. Collaborations like these allow me to explore different musical ideas while connecting with diverse audiences.

I’m working on an album inspired by my travels. Each piece is connected to a city I’ve visited. Some tracks are piano solos, others might be orchestral or electronic—it really depends on the vibe of the place. I’m planning to release the music on a regular basis. In a way, I’d love to be known as a “traveling composer.”

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would take my friend out to where I spend my time the most, Seoul, Korea. Recognizing one’s roots and heritage is important to me and the future as well. In Seoul, the past and future coexist.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
As an international student and a young composer, having a community was a great help in cultivating my path. The communities for composers and musicians have taught me and supported me a lot. Now I’m doing the same to my fellow composers because helping out each other eventually helps me.

If only one person to be credited for my life would be my mom. Without her, I wouldn’t have pursued my path in music. She was the one who has always supported no matter what.

Website: https://jiyeonjuleemusic.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jiyeonlee.musique

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jiyeon-julie-lee/

Twitter: https://x.com/jjlmusique

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/julie.lee.9883

Image Credits
Jiyeon Julie Lee