Mezzo-soprano Danbi Lee graduated from Gangwon Arts High School, where she studied under Min-Young Koo, and from the College of Music at Chung-Ang University under Hye-Jeong Yang. She went on to study at the Conservatorio di Musica “Arrigo Boito” in Parma, Italy, where she was admitted as the top student and graduated with the highest honors under the guidance of Donatella Saccardi. She further refined her artistry through advanced training at the Accademia of Teatro Regio di Parma, the Georg Solti Accademia, and the Young Artist Program at Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino.

She is a prizewinner of numerous prestigious international competitions, including 1st Prize at the 9th Pietro Mongini International Competition, 2nd Prize at the 13th Magda Olivero International Competition, 2nd Prize at the 35th Valsesia Musica International Competition, and 2nd Prize at the 42nd Daegu International Vocal Competition. Additionally, she has received several special awards such as the Critic’s Prize at the 8th Renata Tebaldi International Competition, the Verdi Aria Prize at the 4th San Colombano International Competition, special prizes at the 26th Zandonai Competition and the 1st Giuditta Pasta Competition, and a scholarship award from the 24th Alcamo International Competition.

Lee made her operatic debut at Teatro di Collecchio as La Badessa in Puccini’s Suor Angelica and as Flora in Verdi’s La Traviata. She appeared as Porzia in the world premiere of the concert opera Shylock at the Maffeiana Hall of the Verona Philharmonic Theatre. During the 23rd Verdi Festival, she served as the cover for Azucena in Il Trovatore at the Teatro Regio di Parma and made her official debut at the Teatro Comunale di Bologna. At the 24th Verdi Festival, she received critical acclaim for her portrayal of Ulrica in Un ballo in maschera at Teatro Giuseppe Verdi di Busseto, being described as “the most outstanding presence among the entire cast.” She reprised this role at Teatro dell’Aquila in Fermo, Teatro Ventidio Basso in Ascoli Piceno, and Teatro della Fortuna in Fano. She also performed the role of Suzuki in Madama Butterfly at the same theaters.

An accomplished concert soloist, Lee has performed Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle under Lorenzo Fratini at Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, Brahms’s Alto Rhapsody with conductor Chung Min, and Mendelssohn’s Die erste Walpurgisnacht with Michele Spotti. She has appeared with the Orchestra della Toscanini and toured Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia with the Udine Philharmonic Orchestra. She has been featured as a soloist at commemorative concerts for Enrico Caruso and Renata Tebaldi, honoring these legendary artists.

In Korea, Lee has appeared frequently with the Gangneung Philharmonic Orchestra and was the alto soloist in Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9. Under the baton of Myung-Whun Chung, she performed as the alto soloist in Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 “Resurrection” with the KBS Symphony Orchestra, a role she also reprised at the renowned Teatro La Fenice in Venice. With an expanding presence both at home and abroad, Danbi Lee continues to build a versatile and distinguished career as a performer.