Originally from South Korea, Esther Lee studied at the Berlin University of the Arts under professors Karan Armstrong and Frank Maus. After winning the Maria Callas International Competition, she joined the Deutsche Oper Berlin, performing in famous works such as Strauss's Der Rosenkavalier, Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel, and Wagner's Parsifal. She has also made guest appearances in opera theaters throughout Europe, and is a highly reputed as a performer of oratorios.