About
Lisa is fluent in both English and Korean.
Hailed by the Australian Daily Telegraph as a “viola prodigy,” Lisa Sung is a laureate of international competitions including the 2016 Lionel Tertis International Viola Competition, the 2017 Manhattan International Music Competition, and the 2019 Vienna International Music Competition.
Lisa has appeared as concerto soloist at the Sydney Opera House and in chamber music recitals at Alice Tully Hall. Currently the associate principal violist of Symphony in C, she is also a guest musician with the New York Philharmonic and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. She is a member of the Jupiter Chamber Players, specializing in the performance of lesser-known chamber works. She has performed at some of the most prestigious festivals in the world including the Verbier Festival Academy, Music@Menlo International Program, Perlman Chamber Workshop, Taos School of Music, Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, and IMS Prussia Cove.
Her notable accomplishments and recognitions aside, Lisa is most proud of her performances benefitting those in need. Starting at the age of six, she has played in community venues all over her hometown of Sydney, Australia, giving over 300 outreach performances in nursing homes, hospitals, and prisons. Her work in these settings later expanded to trips to the Philippines, France, Italy, Germany, and Korea.
All in all, her vast performance experience combined with her passion for teaching, Lisa believes the importance of tailoring her lessons to each student and teaching the fundamental skills, performance psychology, and performance practice.
What matters most to me in life is sharing — sharing knowledge, wisdom, experiences, culture and memories. I am lucky to be in a position where I can give as much as I have received, and beyond. As a teacher, what gives me purpose and drive is being able to be a part of an individual’s growth and success not only as a music student, but as an individual. As I myself have grown into the person I am through the extraordinary teachers I have partnered with, I, too, aspire to be a pathway for my students to fall in love with the arts.
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
As music education is such an imperative factor of life in which one is able to develop self-discipline, create beauty, and learn to express in a secret yet universal language, I seek to encourage my students to view music as something beyond mere notes. In addition to the fundamentals and technical basics, I challenge my students to find deeper meaning and nuances within the music, and encourage them to see the power of the arts in today’s society. By deconstructing, story-telling and using analogies as I teach, students and I are able to share cultures, ideas and traditions. The more I teach, the more I am learning about and including the narratives of the art that my students produce. This rapport is special because music has no boundaries or limitations, and I am willing to create and share this with all.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Lisa earned her Master of Music and Bachelor of Music degrees at the Juilliard School with Paul Neubauer and Cynthia Phelps where she was a proud recipient of a Kovner Fellowship, and served as a principal violist of the Juilliard Orchestra.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Please send a private message for lesson rates.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have experience in working with students from age 4 to 23, and from beginner, intermediate to advanced levels.