Dublin Light Youth Ensemble symbolDublin Light Youth Ensemble

DUBLIN, OHIO · YOUNG STRING MUSICIANS

A place to grow.
A sound to share.

Discover the joy of making music together. Dublin Light Youth Ensemble brings young musicians together through artistic excellence, creativity, and community.

2026–2027 season · Grades 5–12

Dublin Light Youth Ensemble: navy and gold tree and string instrument emblem

INSPIRATION · GROWTH · COMMUNITY

WHO WE WELCOMEGrades 5–12
OUR INSTRUMENTSViolin · Viola · Cello · Bass
WHEN WE MEETMonday evenings
SEMESTER TUITION$250

01 / OUR STORY

Music brings us together.
Light helps us grow.

The word “Light” represents inspiration, hope, growth, and the power of music to bring people together.

We welcome young musicians of diverse backgrounds and abilities into a supportive environment where they can develop musically and personally. Through ensemble playing and artistic exploration, students build confidence, collaboration, and a lifelong love of music.

Our music also reaches beyond rehearsal: meaningful performances and outreach connect students with the wider community.

02 / FIND YOUR ENSEMBLE

Different stages.
Shared possibilities.

From developing ensemble skills to challenging orchestral repertoire, find a musical setting that supports your next step.

01

GRADES 5–9

String Chamber

A welcoming introduction to ensemble playing. Build confidence, musicianship, and teamwork through engaging repertoire in a supportive setting.

Rehearsals
Monday · 5:00–6:10 PM
Tuition
$250 per semester
View application requirements →
02

GRADES 7–12

Youth Orchestra

For dedicated young musicians seeking advanced orchestral training. Explore challenging repertoire and develop your artistry through musical collaboration.

Rehearsals
Monday · 6:20–7:40 PM
Tuition
$250 per semester
View application requirements →

Small Ensemble Coaching

Explore chamber music in quartets, trios, and mixed ensembles. Work with professional musicians and faculty coaches on communication, musical leadership, and refined ensemble performance.

Ask about coaching →

Grade ranges overlap. A performance video helps faculty determine appropriate placement and seating. Contact us for guidance on choosing an ensemble.

03 / MUSICAL LEADERSHIP

Guidance that inspires
the next generation.

CONDUCTOR

Soojin Lee, DMA

A conductor, violist, and music educator whose work connects artistic training with community engagement.

University of Cincinnati, DMA and MM

Read full biography

Dr. Soojin Lee has been invited to conduct the Berlin Symphony Orchestra in Germany in August 2026. She previously served as Assistant Conductor at the Miami Music Festival, collaborating on major productions including Wagner’s Die Walküre and Holst’s The Planets. Her conducting experience also includes leading the Collegiate Wind Ensemble and University Band at The Ohio State University and teaching with the Columbus Youth Symphony Orchestra. She was additionally selected as an opera conductor for the Realizing Rossini Summer Workshop at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.

Dr. Lee served as Music Director of the University of Findlay Orchestra, where she conducted regular semester concerts and developed collaborative performances that engaged the broader community. Since 2013, she has been a faculty member at Columbus Academy.

An active soloist and chamber musician, Dr. Lee won First Prize in the American Protégé International Piano and Strings Competition, which led to a performance at Carnegie Hall in 2014. She has presented numerous solo recitals, including a winner’s recital at Merkin Concert Hall in New York City.

Originally from South Korea, Dr. Lee performed with the Korean Symphony Orchestra in Seoul before moving to the United States in 2006. She earned both a Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music in Viola Performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, as well as a Master of Music in Conducting from The Ohio State University. Her conducting studies included work with Samuel Lee, Mark Gibson, Russell Mikkelson, Masao Kawasaki, and Dr. Catharine Lees.

GUEST ARTIST · VIOLIN

Eric Tsai

A violin soloist, chamber musician, and educator with an international performing career and a commitment to young musicians.

The Julliard School, MM

Read full biography

Eric Tsai is an up and coming Taiwanese-American violinist whose playing has been described as both “dashing” and “heart-wrenching” (NZ Herald), and whose thoughtful approach to old and new works alike has earned him a place on stages across the globe. The 2nd prize winner of the 2019 Michael Hill International Violin competition, Eric has garnered critical acclaim as a soloist and chamber player, as well as a champion of music from Taiwan. Simultaneously, he is a committed educator, passionate about raising up the next generation of young musicians, and maintaining a highly successful private pre-college studio.

Performing as a featured artist throughout the United States, Europe, Taiwan, and New Zealand, Eric is deeply committed to spreading hope and light to audiences around the world through his art. In 2021, at the height of the worldwide pandemic, he partnered with Taiwan Connection’s education outreach program and traveled to elementary schools situated in under-reached communities across the country. Other past community engagement projects include performances at homeless shelters, hospitals, and veteran homes across New York and Philadelphia. Highlights of the 2025-2026 season include the inaugural season of his summer festival, SPIRITUS and continued residencies with Callis Ensemble. Starting in the fall of 2025, Eric will join the internationally recognized Callisto Quartet as their new first violinist, engaging in a busy touring and teaching schedule with the group.

Eric’s mentors include Catherine Cho, Ida Kavafian, and Shmuel Ashkenasi, and he has also worked closely with renowned artists such as Pamela Frank, Peter Wiley, Joseph Lin, Ralph Kirshbaum, and Joseph Silverstein. Recent awards include the semifinals at the Premio Paganini competition in Genoa, Italy, bronze medal at the Fischoff Competition with his piano trio, the prestigious Chimei Arts Award, and participation in the Honors chamber program at Juilliard for the 2022-23 season. Eric received his B.M. from the Curtis Institute of Music and his M.M. from the Juilliard School, and recently completed his coursework at StonyBrook University as a Staller Fellow.

GUEST ARTIST · CELLO

Ha Eun Song

A Columbus Symphony cellist whose experience spans orchestral performance, chamber music, and international festivals.

Yale University, MM

Read full biography

Ha Eun Song, originally from Korea, began her journey with the cello at the age of 13. She earned her Master of Music degrees from Rice University and Yale University, where she received multiple scholarships, including the Norman and Jeanne Kierman Fischer Prize and the Edmund Saranec Scholarship. She completed her Bachelor of Music at Ewha Womans University.

Her cello studies have been guided by renowned mentors including Desmond Hoebig, Paul Watkins, Il-Hwan Bae, and Hyong-Won Chang, with additional lessons and masterclasses with esteemed artists such as Ralph Kirshbaum, Alan Stepansky, Troles Svane, and Gary Hoffman.

Throughout her career, Song received various awards, including the Art/Sports Vision Scholarship from the Korea Student Aid Foundation and multiple prizes in national competitions. She was a winner of the Keston MAX London Symphony Orchestra fellow audition in Music Academy of the West which led her to perform in high-profile venues such as the Barbican Centre in London with the London Symphony Orchestra.

As a passionate chamber musician, Song has worked with renowned string quartets and chamber musicians such as the Brentano String Quartet, Paul Kantor, Glenn Dicterow, Karen Dreyfus, David Geber, Kyung Wha Chung, Brian Connelly and more. She has also participated in many festivals worldwide including Eumyoun International Music Festival, Atlantic Music Festival, Music Academy of the West, and Aspen Music Festival where she received the New Horizons Fellowship.

As an orchestra musician, Song performed in many concerts as a principal cellist and she had a privilege to perform under the baton of renowned conductors including Sir Simon Rattle, Marin Alsop, Cristian Mǎcelaru, and Gianandrea Noseda. She also performed with New World Symphony, Houston Symphony, Fort Worth Symphony as a substitute musician. She is currently working as a cellist with the Columbus Symphony.

04 / THE SEASON AHEAD

Make room
for music.

2026–2027 season
Weekly Monday rehearsals in the heart of Dublin.

Fall semester

September 21 – November 30, 2026

CONCERT DATEDecember 5, 2026

Spring semester

January 11 – March 22, 2027

CONCERT DATEApril 3, 2027

OUR REHEARSAL HOME

Dublin Historical
Society Museum

35 S High St.
Dublin, OH 43017

Get directions ↗

Contact us for concert times, performance venues, and admission information. The rehearsal address above is not a confirmed concert venue.

05 / YOUR NEXT STEP

Your musical journey
starts here.

We welcome young string musicians in grades 5–12 with at least 1–2 years of experience and the ability to read music fluently.

$250 / semester

$10 application fee
Limited scholarships and tuition assistance available.

Start Application →

Complete your application below.

1

Prepare your video

Record one solo piece or etude and one major scale up to four sharps and four flats. Ask us if you need clarification on scale selection or octaves.

2

Submit your application

Provide student and parent information, a shareable performance video link, through our online application. Payment instructions appear after submission.

3

Hear from the ensemble

Faculty reviews your submission and contacts you with placement information and next steps.

APPLICATION & PAYMENT

Take your next
musical step.

For string musicians in grades 5–12. Please ask a parent or guardian to complete this form. Submit a video link that faculty can open; do not use a private or restricted link.

Application Fee · $10

Submit your application first, then send $10 using the bank-app QR code below. Include your application reference and “Application Fee” in the payment memo.

Semester Tuition · $250

After placement and enrollment are confirmed, send $250 using the bank-app QR code below. Include your application reference and “Tuition” in the payment memo.

PAY WITH YOUR BANK APP · ZELLE

Scan to pay

Confirm the recipient is SOOJIN (phone ending 6582) before sending.

Bank-app payment QR code for SOOJIN, phone ending 6582
  1. Open your bank app’s Zelle QR scanner and scan this code.
  2. Enter $10 for the application fee, or $250 for tuition after enrollment is confirmed.
  3. Add your application reference and payment purpose in the memo.

Payments are checked manually. Submitting an application does not confirm payment.

On the same phone? Open the QR image ↗. If your bank app cannot scan saved images, display the code on another device or contact the ensemble for payment instructions.

Questions? Contact the ensemble. Application records are available only to the authorized administrator.

HELPFUL ANSWERS

A few things to know.

Which instruments can apply?

We welcome violin, viola, cello, and bass students who meet the grade and experience requirements.

How do I choose between the ensembles?

String Chamber serves grades 5–9 and focuses on developing ensemble skills. Youth Orchestra serves grades 7–12 and offers advanced training. A submitted video helps faculty determine appropriate placement; contact us if you are unsure.

Is tuition assistance available?

Limited scholarships and tuition assistance are available. Email info@dublinlightensemble.org to ask about availability and the process.

Can my child join during the semester?

Please contact us about current openings, application deadlines, and possible midsemester entry before applying.

What if I have questions about rehearsals or auditions?

We are happy to help with program, audition, and registration questions. Email info@dublinlightensemble.org.

LET’S MAKE MUSIC TOGETHER

Every question is
a welcome beginning.

Ask about programs, placement, tuition assistance, or the upcoming season.