A Talk With The Director!
By Daniel Woo and Daniel Ming
December 8, 2023
Composers Unveiled is an organization led by students who excel in both their academic pursuits and the arts. One of these individuals is Joshua Lee. Joshua Lee is the founder and current director of Composers Unveiled, and therefore plays a significant role in the in’s and out’s of the organization. On December 8th, we sat down to ask him some questions about his background and role in the organization.
Q1: What Started Your Passion for the Piano? Explain your journey.
“My love for piano began at a young age, when my mother would play cd’s of Bach’s English Suites, Mozart Sonatas, and Chopin Nocturnes when I came back from Pre-School. I wouldn't realize it until I matured a bit more, but I had become quite akin to Classical Music, especially that of romantic composers. Eventually, when I started playing the piano, it became apparent that I had a knack for it, which allowed me to form a deeper understanding and relationship with the instrument. Although some may argue that the piano is inferior to other instruments such as the violin and clarinet, I think that its versatility, expressiveness, and the foundation it creates for musical concepts and music theory makes up for its drawbacks.
Q2: What inspired you to make Composers Unveiled?
“As the years went by, I began to feel a disconnect between my Asian heritage and the musical pieces that I devoted so many hours to. Even as I attended the Manhattan School of Music Pre-College, I found myself surrounded by a predominantly White and Asian community where many individuals seemed disconnected from their culture. I began to ask myself, how come all the renowned musicians were of European origin? What accounts for the lack of Asian composers in the classical music scene? Since asking myself these questions, I’ve worked hard to manage to work alongside executive director of the Music of Asian America Research Center, Eric Hing Tao Hung and have published a research paper on the influence of Western music and the lack of presence of Asian musicians in the Western classical music context. Since then I have continued to be inspired to raise awareness on the struggles of composers and musicians, such as myself, and subsequently created this organization, which aims to help people of all ethnicities and backgrounds.”
Q3: What are your future plans as a Director of Composers Unveiled?
“As Director, my plan for my organization currently is to create a foundation and slowly expand, possibly reaching beyond national borders to create a network for composers on an international scale. By fostering connections between individuals through the shared experience of chamber music and composition, we aim to supplement collaboration and musical skills, leaving a lasting influence on the communities we collaborate with.
