Donghee Han

Korean-born violist Donghee Han is celebrated for her dedication to both performance and pedagogy in the viola world. She has received recognition at prestigious events such as the 2022 American Viola Society Festival and the 47th International Viola Congress, where she captivated audiences with premieres of new compositions for solo viola.

Renowned for her dynamic stage presence, Ms. Han has showcased her artistry as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral player across the U.S., particularly in Iowa and the Chicago region. She has performed with Orchestra Iowa, the Dubuque Symphony, Red Cedar Chamber Music, the Illinois Valley Symphony, and the Ottumwa Symphony Orchestra, among others.

Ms. Han has collaborated with distinguished musicians and composers, premiering works such as 2020 and Quest by Michael Kimber—compositions written specifically for her artistry—as well as Kangkangsullae by Han-Ki Kim, a viola sonata infused with Korean themes and folk traditions.

Beyond her accomplishments as a performer, Ms. Han is deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of musicians. A dedicated teaching artist, she shares her expertise in her private studio, at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, and in music institutions affiliated with the El Sistema music program. Currently, she teaches in the Strings Program at Roosevelt Creative Corridor Business Academy, a program supported by Orchestra Iowa School and the Grandon Charitable Foundation.

Ms. Han’s commitment to artistic excellence has been recognized through prestigious opportunities, including her presentation at the 2024 Simpson College Guest Artist Recital and her participation in the 2023 YOLA (Youth Orchestra Los Angeles) National Accelerator, hosted by the LA Phil. She was also selected as a fellow for the 2024 Sphinx Connect: Amplify and the ASTA (American String Teachers Association) National Conference.

Dr. Han earned her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Viola Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Iowa, with a secondary area in Orchestral Conducting. During her doctoral studies, she served as a Teaching Assistant in the UI Viola Studio, a Research Assistant at the Center for New Music, and an Assistant for the UI String Quartet Residency and UI Chamber Music Residency programs.

With a multifaceted career spanning both performance and education, Dr. Han embodies the spirit of artistic excellence and mentorship, inspiring both audiences and students alike