Flutist Mirim Lee, a doctoral student at the West Virginia University School of Music, was awarded the Grand Prize in the woodwind division of the Virtuoso International Music Competition. She will give a solo debut performance at the Op�ra Bastille in Paris, France on December 18.

Lee, a native of Seoul, South Korea, studies flute performance at the WVU College of Creative Arts. She is currently in her second year of the Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) program.

Lee applied for the competition in early September and was notified of her success in October.

Lee began her graduate studies at WVU in 2012 as a master of music student under the mentorship of flute professor Nina Assimakopoulos after making her acquaintance while the WVU professor was on tour in Europe. The encounter led Lee to choose WVU as her next academic destination.

Since arriving at WVU, Lee has focused her work with Assimakopoulos on building improved technique and artistry along with a strong competition and professional portfolio. Her efforts have led to several national and international successes, which include prizes in competitions such as the Intermusica International Woodwinds Competition , Alexander & Buono International Flute Competition, and the South Carolina and Rochester Flute Association Young Artist Competitions.
Lee is additionally the recipient of the WVU Valerie Canady Foundation and Dr. & Mrs. William J. Canady Scholarship (2013, 2014, 2015) and winner of the WVU Young Artist Competition.

She plans to complete her doctorate in 2017, after which she plans on beginning her professional career as a soloist, chamber musician, and flute professor at an well established, college-level school of music.

-WVU-

sjb/11/17/15

CONTACT: David Welsh, WVU College of Creative Arts
304-293-3397; David.Welsh@mail.wvu.edu

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