The Hong Kong Philharmonic has appointed Woojin Lee principal harp, beginning in the 2025–2026 season. “I’m thrilled to be joining the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra,” Lee says. “I look forward to making music with the wonderful musicians of the orchestra and collaborating with esteemed conductors Daniel Harding, Daniele Gatti, Esa-Pekka Salonen, and Tarmo Peltokoski in the upcoming season.”
Lee says she is grateful to her teachers Ghislaine Petit-Volta, Isabelle Moretti, Geneviève Létang, and Sivan Magen for their support and guidance over the past 10 years. “After studying in Europe, I am excited to share my music with the audiences in Asia and to begin a new chapter of life in this vibrant city of Hong Kong,” Lee says.
Lee is the first Asian harpist to be a three-time medalist at the USA International Harp Competition (earning fourth prize most recently in 2025, fifth prize in 2019, and seventh prize in 2016). Lee’s other awards include first prize at the Hong Kong International Harp Competition in 2018, first prize and the special performance award at the Szeged International Harp Competition in Hungary in 2013, and first prize at the Soka International Harp Competition in 2012.
After studying harp in Korea until 2015, Lee continued her studies under Ghislaine Petit-Volta at the Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional de Paris (City Conservatory of Paris) for two years. From 2017 to 2022, she studied in the class of Isabelle Moretti at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris (Paris Conservatory). She is currently pursuing further studies with Sivan Magen at the Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler Berlin.
Check out our Q&A with Lee to learn how she prepares for competitions.
