Biography
Korean-Canadian violinist Jae Won Seo has established an artistic reputation for his deep musicality, strong technique and colorful playing. Born in South Korea, Seo began his music studies at the age of 9. Since then, his dream has always been to be a musician. As a violinist, Jaewon has performed as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral musician around the world in countries such as France, Belgium, Netherlands, Iceland, Canada and the United States.
Korean-Canadian violinist Jae Won Seo was recently appointed as a member of the Grand Rapids Symphony in 2024. Born in South Korea, Seo always dreamt of becoming a violinist and he began his musical studies at the age of 9. Prior to joining the Grand Rapids Symphony, Jaewon was a violin fellow at the New World Symphony for the 2022-2023 season. Jaewon has performed as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral musician around the world in countries such as France, Belgium, Netherlands, Iceland, Canada and the United States.
During his time at the New World Symphony, Jaewon’s most memorable orchestral experience was performing Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 in a collaboration with the The Cleveland Orchestra under the baton of Michael Tilson Thomas. Jaewon has collaborated with soloists such as Yo-Yo-Ma, Yefim Bronfman, Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Leif Ove Andsnes, and Alisa Weilerstein among others. He was fortunate enough to work under the batons of Michael Tilson Thomas, Stephen Deneve, Jukka Pekka Saraste, Marin Alsop, David Robertson, Larry Rachliff, and many others.
A recipient of the David Y. Cunningham Scholarship in Music, Jaewon received a full scholarship to study with Kathleen Winkler at Rice University for his Master’s degree. He completed his undergraduate studies at the Cleveland Institute of Music with Ivan Zenaty, Phillip Setzer, and Joan Kwuon. Jaewon has had the privilege to work closely with and receive guidance from Pinchas Zukerman, Vadim Gluzman, Glenn Dicterow, Alexander Kerr, Jorja Fleezanis, Bing Wang, Stephen Rose, Martin Beaver, Paul Kantor and many others.
As a soloist, Jaewon has collaborated with several major orchestras throughout Canada. He was invited by Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra to perform Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 5. His other notable performances include the Saint-Saëns Violin Concerto No. 3 with the Ottawa Symphonic Orchestra and Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto with the Ottawa Chamber Orchestra as a result of winning their concerto competition.
Currently a teaching artist at the Nashville Symphony, Jaewon is very passionate about teaching. Through the symphony’s Accelerando program, Jaewon has taught public masterclasses and he has worked closely with individual students. Nothing brings him more fulfillment than helping a student realize their love for music.
Jaewon spent his summers in Santa Barbara at the Music Academy of the West in 2021 and 2022. Previously, Jaewon was invited to the National Arts Centre Orchestra Mentorship Program in 2020. He also participated in the Young Artist Program of the National Arts Centre, Encore Music Festival, Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival, and the Domaine Forget Festival.