A rising cellist, Nathan Lee is an eighth grader at St. Michael’s School in Poway, California. He began his musical journey under the mentorship of Ruslan Biryukov, whose rigorous training instilled in him a blend of technical mastery and emotional depth.
Nathan performs regularly with San Diego Youth Symphony, serves as principal cellist of his school orchestra, and collaborates in two chamber ensembles: a piano trio and a cello quartet.
Beyond the stage, Nathan brings music to those who need it most. He volunteers at senior living communities and the Ronald McDonald House, where his mini-recitals offer comfort and connection to residents and families facing medical hardship.
Currently preparing for auditions, Nathan studies Bach, Saint-Saëns, and Mark Summer, a living composer who inspires him—believing that music isn’t just played, but shared.
Watch Nathan Yoonjae Lee perform Cello Concerto No. 1 by Camille Saint-Saëns on the cello for the 2025 Global Music Competition as part of the Charleston International Music Competition.