Angela Lee, cello . Melinda Lee Masur, piano . Lisa Lee, violin
Since their critically acclaimed Wigmore Hall London debut in 2002, The Lee Trio's "gripping immediacy and freshness" and "rich palette of tone colours" [The Strad] continue to inspire and move audiences and critics around the world, establishing the dynamic ensemble made of up of sisters and native San Franciscans—Angela, cello; Lisa, violin; and Melinda, piano—as one of the premier chamber ensembles on the international stage. Winners of numerous competitions and graduates from Juilliard, Yale, Curtis and Harvard, each member of the Trio is a brilliant soloist in her own right. The Trio won 2nd Prize at the 2004 Gaetano Zinetti Competition in Italy and the Recording Prize at the 2004 Kuhmo International Chamber Music Competition in Finland and was named a recipient of the 2007 Gotthard-Schierse Stiftung in Berlin, a performing grant and stipend for rising international artists.
In recent seasons, The Lee Trio has given recitals at the Mendelssohn Festival and Bachfest in Leipzig, Germany and at Herbst Theatre in San Francisco, performed in Italy under the auspices of Luoghi Di Confine, and completed their first China tour, giving recitals and master classes in Hong Kong, Macao, Shenzhen, Hangzhou and Shanghai and performing the Beethoven Triple Concerto with the Macao Youth Symphony, Shenzhen Symphony and the Shanghai Philharmonic orchestras. Other appearances have included recitals at The Scandinavia House in New York City, Gorham's Bluff Institute in Alabama, the Philharmonie in Berlin, Schumann-Haus in Leipzig, Kloisters in Plankstetten and the Franckeschen Stiftungen Konzertsaal in Halle, Germany, and Villa Boveri in Baden, Switzerland. The Trio's return tour to China included recitals at the Zhongshan Culture and Art Center, Hong Kong's City Hall Theatre and Lee Hysan Concert Hall, recordings for RTHK4 and a guest appearance on the televised program, Music of Friends. In connection with their Canadian debut at Toronto's Markham Theatre, the Trio was featured on Rogers Television's daytime York Region and Asian Inspiration. In the past year, some notable performances have taken place on the stages of the Old Radio House in Copenhagen and Noedebo Kro in Denmark, Le Petit Trianon Theatre in San Jose as part of Steinway Society the Bay Area's first featured chamber group, and Carnegie's Weill Recital Hall in New York City.
The Lee Trio is passionate about educating the next generation of musicians. Each member received the 2006 California State Assembly Recognition for Exemplary Service to the Community and together, they have served as Associate Chamber Music Faculty at the Zephyr International Chamber Music Festival in Courmayeur, Italy, and taught in master classes at various institutions including Chinese University and Hong Kong Baptist College. Championing the music of living composers is another vital component of the Trio's mission. As a recipient of San Francisco Friends of Chamber Music 2009 Musical Grant Program, The Lee Trio is proud to be premiering a multi-movement work by American composer Nathaniel Stookey in the United States and abroad this current season. For more information, please visit www.theleetrio.com.
