Elle Sunmin Lee is a conductor recognized for her expressive musicality, refined conducting technique, dynamic podium presence, and deeply collaborative leadership.
She currently serves as Assistant Conductor of the Helena Symphony and is the Founding Artistic Director of Collegium Musicum New York, where she leads ambitious symphonic programming with early-career professional musicians. Recent engagements include serving as a Conducting Fellow with the Allentown Symphony Orchestra and conductor of the New York Mixed Chorus; assistant conductor positions with the Vienna Opera Festival and Chicago Summer Opera; guest conducting the U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own”; and winning the Denver Philharmonic International Conducting Competition.
Her broad artistic background encompasses symphonic, operatic, choral, and ballet repertoire, reflecting a musical foundation shaped by both intellectual rigor and physical sensitivity to movement and gesture. This versatility informs her nuanced approach to sound, pacing, and orchestral color.
A passionate advocate for music education and community engagement, Lee is committed to expanding the relevance of classical music in contemporary society. She views the orchestra not only as an artistic institution, but as a living community—one capable of fostering empathy, dialogue, and shared human experience.