Meet Dr. You Ju Lee! Lee is originally from Seoul, Korea and moved to the United States at the age of 22 to pursue a career as a pianist.
After years of developing her talents, and practicing an average of eight hours a day, she participated in an international music competition in 2006 where she won first place.
Shortly thereafter, she was invited to play at Carnegie Hall and has performed there few times since. Not only is she an extremely accomplished pianist, she utilizes her talents to teach others as a piano instructor at Brenau, as well as the Associate Professor of Piano at Toccoa Falls College.
“My passion for music has been my biggest purpose in life since I first played a piano key when I was 3,” Lee said.
Lee also enjoys travelling, hiking, playing the cello, and listening to her favorite classical music.
Question: What does home mean to you?
Answer: “To me, home is a relaxing place for my body and soul.”
Q: What inspired you or led you to your current career?
A: “My students inspired me to be a model teacher. Music is my major and was always my passion. I find a great deal of satisfaction in instructing motivated, young people.”
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Hall County, and what do you love there?
A: “Avocados – Sunday buffet is my favorite.”
Q: How long have you lived or worked in Hall County?
A: “Since 1997 with Brenau Preparatory.”
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met in Hall County?
A: “Dr. Priscilla Jefcoat, she was my classmate at UGA and enabled me to gain the career I have now. She’s very understanding and good at interacting with any person.”
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: “Germany – to perform. I’ve been there many times before. It is an incredible place for musicians especially classical musicians.”
Q: What is your favorite movie?
A: “’Beauty & the Beast;’ I like animated movies.”
Q: What advice would you give a crowd of people?
A: “Listen to classical music, there’s so much purity and beauty in it.”
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: “Before I die, I want to perform as much as I can. It doesn’t matter where just as long as I’m performing.”
Q: What is your favorite music/ three bands you would like to see (dead or alive)?
A: “Pat Methany, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and Krystian Zimerman to name a few.”
Q: What local business makes you the most nostalgic about Hall County?
A: “Longstreet.”
Q: Choosing anyone alive and a non-relative: with whom would you love to have lunch?
A: “Gabrielle Diaz, she is a really genuine person. I have a lot of respect for her and she was an exceptional student. We’d eat somewhere downtown, probably at Avocados.”
Q: What is your favorite thing about Hall County?
A: “I enjoy the lake.”
Q: Where do you see yourself in five or 10 years?
A: “Continuing to help students foster their piano talents and performing as much as possible.”
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
A: “I love to cook and would be a chef if I didn’t have a career in music. Making food is an art form to me.”
The Faces of Hall County is a project to showcase the amazing people that live or work in our community. If you would like to nominate an interesting person to be featured please email babernathy@gonorton.com.