Lukas Lee

“Classical music has brought too much beauty to this generation, too much psychological comfort, too much spiritual treatment, and too many supplies for life. I think that no matter what era classical music is in—whether in the future or in the past—it is the greatest and most sacred art.” Lukas Lee’s drive in his art stems from the influential people in his life—his teachers, family, and friends—as well as his deep connection with music: “When I play the piano, I feel the beauty of music, the greatness of music, and the sanctity of music.” He attends the Hebei Vocational Art College in his native Shijiazhuang and studies piano with Xiaohan Wang, head of the piano department at the Tianjin Juilliard School’s Pre-College Division. He made both his recital and concerto debuts last summer and is first prize winner of the Singapore International Piano Competition. He comes to the Cliburn Junior excited to visit the United States, “to see it and to feel the local culture” and, in the Competition, he’s hoping “to gain more academic progress, gain the progress of communication with the players, and show myself on this platform.” After practicing, he likes listening to lots of CDs and vinyl records; he also enjoys reading psychology books and science fiction, and playing soccer.