Minhwan Lee

Born in Seoul, South Korea, bass trombonist Minhwan Lee was a member of the bass trombone section at the Macao Orchestra from 2015 to 2020 and he was a member of Wonju Philharmonic Orchestra in Korea from 2010 to 2012 and also a principal bass trombonist in the Korean National Police Orchestra from 2005-2007. Subsequently, he joined New World Symphony Orchestra in Florida, U.S. as a finalist substitute from 2014 to 2015.

Mr. Lee received the Bachelor of Music with Honors from Korean National University of Arts, and received the Performance Diploma from Boston University. Furthermore, he was one of the two trombonists accepted for Boston University’s Artist Diploma Program. He studied with Don Lucas, Gabe Langfur, and Toby Oft.

He has been very successful in both North American and Asian musical competitions. Notable achievements include winning the 2014 Slider Asia Bass Trombone Competition (Hong Kong), 2013 American Trombone Workshop (Eastern Trombone Workshop) Solo Competition (U.S.), the 4th Annual Youngsan Music Competition (Korea) as well as the second place at the 48th Annual DongAh Daily News National Music Competition (Korea). He also won many prestigious awards, including 2013 Departmental Honors Awards at Boston University College of Fine Arts, and received First Place Soloist Award for performing with Korean National University of Arts Orchestra, which was the first-ever award given to a brass player.

In 2011 he was nominated as one of the 74th National New Figures in the Music sponsored by Cho Sun Daily News in Seoul. He also played with Boston Conservatory for “Boston Trombone Day” performance in Artists Trombone Ensemble in 2012. In 2013, he participated in a Support Concert for the victims of the Boston Marathon Attack.

He has been featured in many performances as a guest player, including Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, Korea Broadcasting System(KBS) Symphony Orchestra, Korean Symphony Orchestra, Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra and Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra. Moreover, as wind band conductor he has performed at Jeju International Wind Festival in 2019. Recently Mr. Lee is very proud to be a Conn-Selmer performing artist and performs exclusively on Bass Trombones. Minhwan plays Hagmann valves, 50A3 models with Yellow Brass Bell.

Now he is teaching at the Korean National University of Arts, Yonsei University, Gachon University, Chungnam National University, Chung-ang University and Seoul National Education University in South Korea.