"Hailed for his impressive virtuosity, sensitive musicianship, and intense performances, cellist Dominic Lee creates a unique emotional connection with his audience. He made his first appearance as a soloist at the age of 13 and has since performed with orchestras and ensembles across the globe, including his American debut in New York City’s Carnegie Hall. Dominic was invited to study under renowned cellist and pedagogue Steven Doane and Rosemary Elliot at the Eastman School of Music as a Howard Hanson Scholar, George Eastman Scholar for performance, where he gained his Masters of Performance and Literature, and the prestigious Performer’s Certificate. In 2020, Dominic was also invited and studied at the University of Southern California, in the highly acclaimed studio of Ralph Kirshbaum as a Graduate Certificate candidate (Post-Graduate). At the Eastman School he has also served as a Teaching Assistant and Departmental Assistant, being recognized by being honored for his leadership with the prestigious Glenn L. and Frances Harris Prize.
He has garnered numerous prizes and career grants; including silver medal at the 2020 Anton Rubinstein International Cello Competition, Professional Development Committee Grant (Sponsored by the Eastman School of Music), First Prize and Monterosa Kawai Prize in the 2013 Valsesia International Music Competition, top prize in the 2013 Padova International Music Competition in Italy, first in the 2015 American Protégé International Music Competition, shortly followed by a first prize in the 2018 MTNA Foundation’s Young Artist Competition. He has served important principal positions including the Eastman School of Music orchestra for the opening of the renowned Beal Institute for Film Music and Contemporary Media, and also leading the grand finale of the Heifetz Festival Orchestra.
At the age of 16, he began studies at the New Zealand School of Music (Victoria University of Wellington) under cellist Inbal Meggido, as a recipient of the Director’s Scholarship. From 2011-2013, he studied with Edith Salzmann at the Pettman Academy of Music. In his final year of study, Dominic was awarded the Pettman Special Scholarship, which enabled him to perform and compete internationally.
In 2018, he attended the Heifetz Institute as an Ueno scholar, performing in the “Stars of Tomorrow,” and “Celebrity Concert Series.” The following year, he quickly gained his position as a “Heifetz on Tour Artist” concertizing throughout the United States from the 2019 season. He was then honored as an Artist Fellow in Residence at the 2019 International Heifetz Festival where he performed in a series of recitals and important events. Most recently, he was invited again to produce several recordings for this year's “Virtual Concert Hall” broadcasted on networks such as the Violin Channel.
Dominic has performed solos and participated in music festivals throughout four continents including the Pyeong Chang Music Festival in South Korea (as a member of the “Rising Star Artist” series, culminating in a performance in Alpensia Concert Hall), Akaroa International Music Festival (Gibert Glaussius Prize for best performance) and International Adam Chamber Music Festival.
Mr. Lee owes his passion and love for music to his studies with outstanding musicians, receiving masterclasses and lessons from luminaries such as Frans Helmerson, Hans Jensen, Jian Wang, Alisa Weilerstein, Myung Wha Chung, Lius Claret, Timothy Eddy, Bartholomew Lafollette, Colin Carr and has performed chamber music with renowned musicians such as the Borromeo String Quartet, Andres Cardenes, Bela Horvath, Elisabeth Kufferath, Zhenni Li, Stephan Schrader, and Dina Vainshtein.
Mr. Lee is the Founder and Director of Kingdom Performing Arts Limited, an organization going beyond the concert halls and redefining the concert experience. He has also served as the Artistic Director for the Kaimai Christian Ministries Trust, curating special services and performances.
Recently Dominic received a strong calling to now use his life as the instrument which led him to join the MADE Group, seeking to empower the Arts and lead initiatives for the community to experience living in an arts enriching city, shining light and drawing neighboring cities to seek to follow a better way of living. "