Meet Ruda Lee | Concert Violinist

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

Hi Ruda, how has your background shaped the person you are today?

When I was young, my neighborhood was surrounded by different sounds and energy. Growing up in Seoul, Korea—the birthplace of ‘Gangnam Style’—I naturally encountered trends that changed faster than the seasons and captivated the public. Not just outside, my home was also filled with melodies, from my grandmother’s songs to my mother’s piano playing. My father had a huge LP collection that introduced me to a wide range of music, fostering my emotional connection to sound. I picked up the violin at five and made my concerto debut at six. No one forced me onto the stage; the journey of making music, including performing in front of an audience, was thrilling and made my heart race with excitement. Life is a series of choices, and one significant decision I made was to form my own band at the age of ten instead of following the traditional path of a child prodigy, which ultimately awarded me the Seoul President’s Award. I discovered my identity as an artist through new opportunities and places that stimulate my creativity and help me uncover hidden aspects of myself.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

As a Korean soloist based in Hong Kong and the USA, I bring my creative energy to regular recitals, collaborations with orchestras, and immersive projects across Hong Kong, Taiwan, Europe, United States and South Korea. Through my work as Artistic Director of Virtuoso Fiesta and Young Virtuosi, I aim to connect people worldwide through the transformative power of music. My art is rooted in the belief that music transcends boundaries, and I am currently focused on blending classical music with contemporary influences to reach wider audiences.

One of my upcoming projects, Four Seasons: A Journey of 1725-2025, which I will be directing and performing in Hong Kong and New York, showcases 250 years of classical music evolution with a unique flavor of the seasons. In a rapidly evolving world where platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and AI technologies are reshaping the musical landscape, we face the challenge of emphasizing the importance of mental and emotional well-being for the next generation. Through my music, I hope to highlight the importance of nature preservation and the impacts of climate change on individuals’ lives, inspiring society to be more vibrant and colorful. Ultimately, my goal is to connect musicians and audiences across the globe through transformative experiences.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

I’m currently in New York City, where there’s always so much to see, whether it’s your first time or not. This city holds many memories for me from my foodie trips while studying at Yale, and I love revisiting my favorite spots. After living in Hong Kong for seven years, the views of skyscrapers and rooftops aren’t as impressive anymore, but the view from the Edge on the 101st floor was amazing—so New York! Plus, restaurant guests receive complimentary access to the tower.

I would also love to take my friends to local favorites, explore the shops in Soho, enjoy Broadway shows, and walk across the Brooklyn Bridge at night, taking in the lit-up skyline. Oh, visiting the 9/11 Memorial for the first time was particularly moving; the peaceful atmosphere made me feel grateful for being alive and safe today, and all the museums, shops, and the beautiful promenade are nearby.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

Music is a gift I hold closest to my heart, and I owe much of that to my mom, whose profound sensitivity to sound allows her to see the world through a poetic and beautiful lens. One day, after playing Brahms’ Concerto, I told her, ‘Thank you for introducing music into my life.’ I’ve inherited her sensitivity, which enables me to connect deeply with music and others. I want to dedicate a heartfelt shoutout to my mom for gifting me such a beautiful quality that has transformed my life.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rudastar

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rudastar

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@rudastar1

Website: https://www.leerudaviolin.com