Lauren Yejin Kang, violin

Meet Lauren

Lauren performs on Show 478.

Lauren Yejin Kang (violin), 15, of Vestavia Hills, Alabama, began studying violin at age five. She received early training in South Korea under Sunny Lee at the Seoul Central Conservatory and currently studies at The Juilliard School Pre-College with Sheryl Staples, Principal Associate Concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic. For the past two and a half years, Lauren has traveled weekly between Alabama and New York to pursue her studies, demonstrating exceptional dedication and passion for music.

Lauren has performed in masterclasses with distinguished artists including Fabiola Kim, Wonhee Bae, Sungsic Yang, Peter Schuhmayer, Ian Swensen, Soojin Han, Yoojin Jang, and Gyehee Kim, winner of the 2023 Tchaikovsky International Competition. She has participated in leading summer programs such as the Heifetz International Music Institute, the International Musikfestival Zell am See in Austria, and the Meadowmount School of Music.

Her recent achievements include being named a 2025 MTNA Junior Strings National Finalist, receiving First Prize at the 2026 Lois Pickard Competition, and being awarded a scholarship from the Stamas Scholarship Committee of the New York Philharmonic.

Lauren made her concerto debut at the age of 12 in South Korea and recently made her U.S. debut with the LaGrange Symphony Orchestra as the recipient of the 2026 YAC Max Kaplan Award. Her performance of Saint-Saëns’ Violin Concerto No. 3 was praised for its polished, professional presence, warm tone, and expressive intensity, earning a rousing standing ovation.