Today we’d like to introduce you to Susan Lee.
Susan, before we jump into specific questions about your work, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I first fell in love with music after hearing my sister play the piano. I enjoyed the pleasing melodies that made me happy and also learned of many more famous melodies via the show Little Einsteins. Because of my sister’s playing, combined with the show Little Einsteins, I decided to start playing the piano. I later also heard my sister practicing the violin and wanted to try it out too. I juggled both instruments for a while, but eventually, my passion for the violin overtook my desire to play the piano, and I stopped playing the piano. Although I enjoyed the rich, chordal nature of the piano, I decided I much rather preferred the more singing and melodic nature of the violin.
As I grew older, music became a form of expression that I felt more comfortable with than writing or talking. I was able to express my feelings and wash all my stress away with music. I felt at ease and at home performing in front of others and telling my stories with music. I also began to branch out, and I began to compete in local competitions, joined the San Diego Youth Symphony, and participated in summer music programs.
After a lot of encouragement from my family, friends, and teachers, as well as many hours of practice and frustration, I’m proud to say that I’ve grown a lot from when I was younger. I most recently won 1st place in the MTAC VOCE Competition (Senior Division), 2nd place in the La Jolla Young Artists Competition and Grossmont Instrumental Scholarship Competition, and 1st place in the SDYS Concerto Competition. I’ve also become the Jeffrey Dan Sollender Concertmistress of the Ovation program in SDYS, and have attended multiple summer programs such as NYO2 (National Youth Orchestra 2) and the Heifetz International Music Institute. I’m also glad to have had the chance to perform with multiple orchestras, including the New City Sinfonia, the Temecula Valley Symphony, and in the future, the SDYS Chamber Orchestra as I perform the Prokofiev Violin Concerto No. 2 in April at Copley Symphony Hall.
My journey of growth doesn’t end here, however. I’m continuing to grow and learn from my talented peers, which I’ve met through SDYS, the amazing summer programs I’ve been to, and through competitions. I’m eager for new challenges and to continue spreading music through performing and teaching. Most of all, I’m especially interested in using my love for music to help others and give back to the community. As of now, I’ve organized my own benefit concert where I donated all proceeds to the San Diego Rescue Mission, play lunchtime music at the Ronald McDonald House near Rady Children’s Hospital. I am a mentor in the SDYS Mentor Program (a program where older orchestra members can volunteer and help out in younger ensembles), but I hope to continue supporting and helping out the community further.
I hope that everyone can enjoy music, whether it’s playing or performing, as I strongly believe music has an amazing ability to bring people together and transcends the boundaries of normal language barriers. I think music creates permanent bonds between people, as I remain close friends with people I met years ago through music. I also hope that people can find comfort in music, as it can be a powerful source of strength, and continue to persevere through their own journeys.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Music has not been an easy path. When I was younger, I thought that practice was the sole factor in improvement. I honestly laugh when I think of my mindset back then. Over the years, I’ve realized that my approach to music was extremely flawed, and even now, I still struggle with insecurities and fears that have accumulated over time as a result of this.
Music is not just about practice but also acceptance. When I first competed, I was devastated whenever I didn’t win. I scoffed at the judges’ comments, and I refused to take any criticism. What I failed to realize is that music isn’t just about having the best technique or perfect intonation. Interpretation is a huge factor, and it varies between people. Sometimes you will think you’ve performed your absolute best, but you won’t win.
And that’s okay. Everyone has a different opinion, and what you think maybe the correct interpretation may be completely wrong in someone else’s eyes. I tended to self-destruct when I received results that I didn’t want, and I had to learn to accept these results and move on instead of lingering and holding grudges. I also learned to be content with myself if I felt that I performed my best, instead of relying on results to be satisfied and comparing myself to others. Even now, I’m still trying to satisfy myself with my own performance and not measure my ability using competitions.
Music is also about resilience, a quality that I struggled (and still struggle) with. Every time I was rejected or faced a passage in music that I couldn’t play properly, I’d feel like giving up and quitting. But rejection and struggle are crucial to growth. Without rejection and struggle, how could you identify your weaknesses and learn? Also, rejection and struggle taught me more about myself than success could have. I learned, of course, that I was not the only violinist (this is an obvious statement, but when I was younger, I didn’t know many others who played the violin, so I had no idea just how many people played the violin across the world and how talented they all were).
I also learned how to actually practice. Practicing isn’t supposed to be easy. It’s a whole process where you tackle your weak spots, and sometimes it’ll be frustrating. Frustration is a horrible feeling, but afterward, when you nail that passage or finally fix those troublesome intonation spots, that feeling of “Yes!” and triumph is exhilarating. Lastly, being resilient also means moving on (and goes along with acceptance). Alright, you got rejected. It’s time to move on. Falling into a hole and wanting to quit is easy, but moving on, accepting it, and working even harder is the only cure to rejection.
Finally, my advice to those who are just starting their journey is to be patient. Maybe you’ll reach your goal in a month, a year, or even ten years, but you will reach it someday. It takes a lot of hope and inner strength to move along and persevere, but anything is possible, especially today. I hope that anyone starting on a journey can incorporate music into their lives, maybe just as a stress reliever or as a way to meet new people. I also advise seeking out other people who may have similar goals or passions. Struggling is hard, and it’s harder if you’re alone. While other people may seem like they’re reaching their own goals easily, that’s usually not the case. Often times, they’re struggling just as much as you are, and seeking out others can help you and them. I wish everyone good luck!
Can you give our readers some background on your music?
I am a violinist involved in orchestral and solo activities. I am currently the Jeffrey Dan Sollender Concertmistress of the San Diego Youth Symphony Ovation program. Every Saturday, I lead Symphony and Chamber Orchestra as we struggle over difficult repertoire ranging from Mozart to Tchaikovsky. This position has been a tough yet rewarding job as it involves huge responsibilities, such as coordinating bowings within the section, leading the orchestra during performances, and occasionally performing without the conductor, which requires trust and communication between all the principals of each section. I’ve learned a lot of responsibility from SDYS since I first joined, and am proud to be in a position that allows me to continually work with the orchestra in a way that is dynamic, engaging, and cooperative with my peers.
Via SDYS, I’ve also been introduced to the mentor program, which provides opportunities for members of older ensembles to help younger ensembles learn how to play in the orchestra. We guide them to watch the conductor closely, alert them if their notes are out of tune, or help them stay together with the rest of the orchestra. I think the orchestra is an important part of growth as a musician, as teamwork and unity are integral to a successful symphony (and also to soloists who often collaborate with other musicians!). Because of this, I think the Mentor Program gives an important responsibility to volunteers to be able to nurture and introduce the aforementioned elements. In addition, it is a great way to connect with younger members and also gives me nostalgia from when I was also a younger member of the youth symphony.
In addition to SDYS, I’ve also had the opportunity to join summer programs such as NYO2 (National Youth Orchestra 2), a national orchestral program sponsored by Carnegie Hall. NYO2 was such a valuable experience to me because it united musicians across the country, and I was able to learn even more about performing as an orchestra and work with different perspectives. NYO2 also had the chance to perform in amazing performance venues, including Carnegie Hall and the New World Center in Miami, which of course, was an additional treat!
As a soloist, I compete and perform regularly. Being a soloist is a lot different from being a part of an orchestra. It requires time and dedication by yourself and also introspection, whereas being a part of an orchestra requires you to constantly reach out to others and engage with them to make sure you’re all on the same track. I’m of course proud of all my achievements and prizes, but I’m most proud of tackling stage fright, which has become a bigger issue recently. Due to the obstacles I mentioned previously, I began to develop a fear of being on stage, as I became afraid to make mistakes and afraid of criticism. However, I’ve begun to incorporate mindfulness as a part of my routine, and as a result, I’ve slowly but surely made progress. I am rediscovering my love for performing and having fun on stage again.
Which women have inspired you in your life?
My older sister Sarah has been a huge source of inspiration in my life. Maybe it’s because of the large age gap, but to me, it seems like she has an infinite amount of patience and wisdom to offer. Whenever I lose sight of the path I want to take, she’s always there to talk to and gets me right back on track. For example, she’s the one who advised me to try incorporating mindfulness into my music as a way to tackle my stage fright and also look back on why I began the violin to motivate myself again.
She’s straightforward and isn’t afraid to speak out, which is something I value because I know that what she says to me is genuine and truly what she thinks, rather than words that have been filtered or tailored to something I want to hear. She’s also one of the most hardworking people I know, and tirelessly gives all of her efforts toward her passions, which include neuroscience and public health. She’s bubbly and always seems to have extra energy to devote to others and herself, which is something I admire as well.
My mom is also a source of inspiration for me. She has an endless amount of strength and perseverance, and her no-nonsense attitude coupled with her understanding nature makes her a superhuman in my eyes. While it’s easy for me to give up, for my mom, she can’t give up. She’ll always find another way to approach a situation or problem, and often it’s a better way as well. This applies to anything from restaurant reservation issues to finding a myriad of advice and strategies if I’m having trouble in a class. Lastly, she also shares her abundance of energy with my sister, always having enough for herself and her family.
Contact Info:
- Email: susan.lee2019@gmail.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susann.leee
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