Discover the fascinating musical journey of Donna Lee,
an accomplished 17-year-old violinist, soprano, composer and conductor

How did your fascination with music begin?

I was waiting for my sister to finish her cello lesson in the studio when I was 5 and the owner asked if I would like to try learning the violin, to which I agreed, found it really interesting and went home to ask my parents if I could start violin classes.

This concert holds a deeply personal meaning for me, as it will take place on August 26th in Discovery Bay, the hometown where I grew up.

What level of dedication does it require to become so proficient in music?

Being good at an instrument or anything in general requires lots of discipline. Of course there are days where you would feel like practicing and there are also days that you don’t. It’s the days that you don’t but still push yourself because your love, passion and dedication outweighs your feelings of not wanting to practice. It also takes a lot of perseverance as you would get rejected a lot. The ability of being able to keep moving forward and improving despite all the rejections is absolutely crucial.

You are described as a violinist, soprano, composer and conductor, are these musical gifts equally important to you?

I strongly believe that everything in music is intertwined. Learning composing has allowed me to understand the meanings and intentions of each piece on a much more profound level. Learning classical singing has allowed me to express myself in my playing and compositions. It takes a lot of perseverance, patience and passion to be proficient in each field. I would consider myself mostly as a singer and composer, the violin is an extension of my voice. Meanwhile, I have just started conducting half a year ago, therefore I don’t have an answer on whether it is something I would wish to pursue full time in the future or a hobby that deepens my understanding in music.

Of your many musical achievements and awards, which means the most to you?

The musical achievements that mean the most to me are not my awards but the brilliant professors that I was able to work and hone my skills with such as Anna Samuil in voice, Jorma Panula in conducting, Gian Paolo Peloso in violin. These professors have shaped me into the musician that I am today and many others. It is truly my greatest honour and privilege to learn from them.

Do you have any favourite classical composers?

It really depends on the repertoire and how I’m feeling! Sometimes my favourites are Bruckner, Mahler and Wagner, other times I love Tchaikovsky, Richard Strauss and Verdi.

Which musical maestros have inspired you the most?

The musician that has had a strong and significant impact on me would be Patricia Janecková. Despite her passing at the young age of 25, she has left a strong and impactful mark in the world of singing. Her recordings made me realise my love and passion for the voice as an instrument.

Do you have any favourite standout musical performances?

A performance that stood out a lot for me was my solo debut with an orchestra playing the Bach violin concerto no.2 in E major. Another one that I cherish a lot was my conducting debut to which I was also premiering the 4th movement of my Requiem.

Would you recommend music as a career?

I strongly recommend for everyone to experience classical music with an open mind. Music and art affect us as individuals and truly colour our lives, speaking for myself at least. I would recommend music as a career as it requires lots of discipline, passion and commitment, all of which could be applied to anything else in life.