Biography

Sum Yee Lee is a Chinese-American composer and pianist raised in Seattle Washington and Guangzhou, China. Her music is often inspired by nature, human experiences, art works, and is characterized by spontaneous changes in dynamics, color, character and texture. Sum Yee’s works have been selected and played by the Pacific Chamber Orchestra, the Toledo Symphony Orchestra, Dal Niente Ensemble, Quince Ensemble, Wintergreen Chamber Ensemble, and Western Washington Symphony Orchestra. She has also received an honorable mention from the New York Youth Symphony First Music Commission 2024, won the IAWM 2024 Annual Concert Call for Scores, and was selected to attend the Dream American 2024 Pacific Chamber Orchestra Workshop. Her music has been featured in festivals and concerts such as Dream American Emerging Composers Concert, She Scores Concert Series, MOXsonic, SPLICE Institute and Wintergreen Music Festival.

 

Sum Yee earned her piano and composition degree from Western Washington University and a biology degree from University of Washington. She just finished a master’s degree in composition at Bowling Green State University in 2024. Her primary instructors include Dr. Christopher Dietz, Dr. Mikel Kuehn, Dr. Elainie Lillios, Dr. Piyawat Louilarpprasert, Dr. Charles Halka, and Dr. Bruce Hamilton.