Colleen Lee is a renowned classical pianist from Hong Kong who has made a name for herself in the international music scene. Born on August 23, 1983, in Hong Kong, Colleen showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of four. Her parents recognized her talent and encouraged her to pursue music as a career. Colleen received her early music education at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, where she studied under the tutelage of Gabriel Kwok. She later went on to study at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where she received a Bachelor of Music degree. She continued her studies at the Juilliard School in New York, where she earned a Master of Music degree. Colleen's talent as a pianist was evident from an early age, and she quickly gained recognition for her exceptional skills. In 2000, she won the First Prize at the Hong Kong Young Pianists Competition, and in 2004, she was awarded the Gold Medal at the International Russian Music Piano Competition in San Jose, California. In 2005, Colleen made her debut with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, performing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 1. Her performance was widely acclaimed, and she was praised for her technical proficiency and musical sensitivity. This performance marked the beginning of Colleen's career as a soloist, and she has since performed with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, and the Berlin Philharmonic. One of Colleen's most notable performances was her debut at the BBC Proms in 2010, where she performed Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 with the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Her performance was broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 and was widely praised by critics. The Guardian described her playing as "dazzling," while The Times called her "a pianist of rare distinction." Colleen has also been recognized for her recordings, which have received critical acclaim. In 2012, she released a recording of Chopin's Piano Concertos Nos. 1 and 2 with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, which was praised for its "poise and elegance" by Gramophone magazine. Her recording of Beethoven's Piano Concertos Nos. 1 and 2 with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra was also well-received, with The Guardian describing her playing as "sparkling and incisive." In addition to her solo career, Colleen is also a dedicated chamber musician. She has performed with many of the world's leading chamber ensembles, including the Emerson String Quartet and the Tokyo String Quartet. She is also a member of Trio Les Amis, a piano trio that she formed with violinist Siu-Wai Ng and cellist Richard Bamping. Colleen's talent and dedication to music have been recognized with numerous awards and honors. In 2009, she was awarded the Hong Kong Arts Development Council's Award for Young Artist (Music). She was also named a Steinway Artist in 2010, joining a select group of pianists who are recognized for their excellence in performance and dedication to the piano. Despite her success, Colleen remains humble and dedicated to her craft. She continues to perform regularly and is committed to promoting classical music in Hong Kong and around the world. Her passion for music and her exceptional talent have made her one of the most respected and admired pianists of her generation.

More....