Artistic leadership

Jennifer Min-Young Lee is a Korean-Canadian conductor, music educator, and vocal pedagogue recognized for her artistic leadership and versatility across choral, orchestral and educational settings. Widely respected for her dynamic musicianship and collaborative approach, she has established herself as a prominent figure in the Toronto music scene.

Recognized for her expertise in choral conducting, Lee has worked with a wide range of vocal ensembles, from children’s and youth choirs to community, university, and professional organizations. Her work reflects a commitment to artistic excellence, collaborative leadership, and meaningful musical engagement. She previously served as Artistic Director of Chorus York and Associate Conductor of the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, where she conducted subscription concerts, led community outreach initiatives, and prepared the choir for performances with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Other collaborations have included the Repertory Singers, Eastman Chamber Singers, Bach Cantata Ensemble, University of Rochester Women’s Chorus, Bach Children’s and Youth Choir, and the Ontario Youth Choir.

As an orchestral conductor, Lee has led professional, community, and youth ensembles. She served as Assistant Conductor of Orchestra Toronto and made her professional orchestral conducting debut during the orchestra’s 2015-2016 season. Her conducting studies and engagements have taken her internationally, including appointments as a Conducting Fellow with the Málaga Philharmonic Orchestra (Spain), the Allegra International Orchestral Conducting Institute (Bulgaria), the Yale School of Music Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, the Eastman Advanced Conducting Institute, the Orchestra Toronto Apprentice Program, and the Tafelmusik Baroque Summer Institute. She also completed intensive studies in opera conducting at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music Opera Bootcamp.

A passionate advocate for music education, Lee has been a full-time music educator with the York Region District School Board since 2008. She directs vocal, choral, instrumental, and piano accompanying programs, while her school ensembles have earned recognition through performances and festivals across Canada, the United States, and Europe. Dedicated to developing the next generation of musicians, she is known for inspiring artistic excellence and fostering a lifelong appreciation of music among her students.

Lee holds a Master of Music degree in Conducting from the Eastman School of Music, where she also completed graduate studies in Vocal Pedagogy. She earned both Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Education degrees from the University of Western Ontario and completed additional studies at the University of Toronto.

Jennifer Min-Young Lee currently serves as Artistic Director of the Yemel Philharmonic Society of Toronto, Conductor of the Toronto Sohrae Youth Orchestra, and Music Director at Young Nak Korean Presbyterian Church. With a passion for cultivating musical excellence and fostering community through music, she is dedicated to inspiring musicians of all ages through performance, education, and collaboration.