Dr. Youbin Jun

Dr. Youbin Jun is a dynamic cellist, passionate instructor, and seasoned performer, currently bringing her expertise to the Maryland Symphony Orchestra, Washington Chamber Orchestra. She holds a faculty position at the Mason Community Arts Academy at George Mason University, where she teaches cello, and serves as an instructor at the New Life Foundation. Dr. Jun’s mission is clear: to inspire, engage, and elevate each student’s musical journey. Dr. Jun is committed to community outreach throughout the DMV area, bringing music to venues such as Children’s National Hospital, local nursing homes, and Fairfax County Public Schools as a member of Goodbeats ensemble and New Life Foundation.

With an exciting blend of solo, orchestral, and chamber music experience, she has performed internationally in iconic venues such as Jordan Hall, Bruno Walter Auditorium at Lincoln Center, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, and Seoul Arts Center. She began her solo career with a celebrated debut with the Suwon Philharmonic Orchestra and was invited to perform as Ujung Rising Star at Ujung Arts Center in Seoul. As a member of the New England Conservatoy Cello Ensemble, she also performs annually at the Seoul Arts Center and Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Korea.

Dr. Jun’s teaching approach combines over ten years of experience and Suzuki certification, helping her students achieve impressive results. Her students have secured principal positions in top youth orchestras like the American Youth Philharmonic Orchestra and Governor’s School for the Arts and joined prestigious ensembles such as the All-National Orchestra, All-Eastern Orchestra, and Virginia and Maryland All-State Orchestras and have bee prizewinners in competitions, including American Protégé International Competition and VMTA concerto competition. Many of her students also excel in competitions and gain acceptance to elite summer music programs, achieving their goals with her guidance.

Known for her dedication, she serves as a mentor beyond her regular teaching roles. She has held teaching position at Rutgers University teaching undergraduate cellists, and each year, she leads an immersive cello summer workshop in Busan, Korea, supporting students as they prepare for college auditions and develop their musical skills.

Dr. Jun is a passionate chamber musician who has performed at celebrated festivals including the Sarasota Music Festival and Bowdoin International Music Festival, collaborating with distinguished artists such as Steve Doane (Eastman School of Music), Ronald Leonard (Colburn School), and Timothy Eddy (Juilliard). She had the opportunity to perform a chamber concert with Ana Kavafian (Yale) and Fred Bretschger (Colburn). Additionally, Dr. Jun has participated in masterclasses with esteemed cellists like Frans Helmerson (Hanns Eisler School of Music in Berlin), Natalia Gutman (Moscow Conservatory), Gary Hoffman (Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel), and Peter Wispelwey (Kronberg Academy).

Born and raised in Korea as an alumnus of Seoul Arts High School, She moved to Boston and earned both her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from New England Conservatory, studying under Paul Katz(Cleveland String Quartet) and Natasha Brofsky(Juilliard). She completed her Doctor of Musical Arts degree at Rutgers University on a full scholarship under the guidance of Jonathan Spitz(New Jersey Symphony) where she also served as principal cellist of the Rutgers Symphony Orchestra. As an orchestral cellist, she has collaborated with esteemed artists, including Hai-Ye Ni of the Philadelphia Orchestra and Qiang Tu and Carter Brey of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra.

Her doctoral thesis was on “An Introduction to the Four Collections of Music for Two Cellos By Bernard Romberg”. She believes in helping students learn the cello in a healthy, balanced way that nurtures both body and mind, guiding them to use the instrument as an extension of their own “voice.” Dr. Jun emphasizes building a strong foundation in technique alongside musical expression, with personalized daily exercises like scales, arpeggios, and etudes, inspiring creative thinking every step of the way.