Lee’s work blurs the lines between percussive and harmonic aspects of the piano within contemporary improvised music. From solo prepared piano to large ensemble works, Lee’s compositions bring out her unique view of the world with “musical depth and vulnerability necessary to be engaged in high level real time improvisation” (Stephen Magnusson, AUS).

With Korean heritage, Lee grew up in South Korea and New Zealand. She relocated to Melbourne, Australia in 2022 at the age of 18 to live and study, specialising in contemporary improvised music. Driven by her “deep commitment to improvisation” (Andrea Keller, AUS), Lee continues to explore the possibilities and impossibilities of piano and improvisation. Lee’s work ranges from solo improvised piano, solo prepared piano, to any ensemble format, with outstanding ones being piano trio and bass-less trio. Pushing the boundaries between genres, Lee’s performance practice is a metaphorical expression of her complex thoughts. She reasserts the musical picture plane by connecting contrasting ideas using strong narratives, revealing and embracing honesty and vulnerability.

Lee has been awarded several prizes and scholarships such as the Will Poskitt Piano Scholarship (2023), the Graham Coyle Prize (2022), the Ronald William Capron Prize (2022), the Lady Turner Prize (2022), Most Oustanding Soloist at the Auckland Jazz and Blues Competition (2021) and Most Oustanding Pianist at the New Zealand School of Music Jazz Project (2019).

Abi

Abi