12/1/24 - Here is December 2024!

The last month of the year usually means the end of the semester and tests for teachers and students. Ms. Lee is happy to celebrate the successes of her Music Fundamentals class at the Samueli Academy with her students and everyone else. Happy December!

11/28/24 - Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!

It is an American tradition to celebrate and to give thanks on the four Thursday of November each year. Starting in the 1600s, the Native Americans and Europeans were having feasts and celebrating their harvest together.

11/27/24 - Happy Birthday, Hilary Hahn!

One of the world's leading violinist, Hilary performed with the Stuttgart Radio Symphony, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel, for Pope Benedict XVI's birthday in 2007. There are three movements in Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's violin concerto No.3, K.216, composed in Salzburg, Austria, in 1775. Enjoy!

11/19/24 - Anniversary of the Gettysburg's Address

In 1863, U.S. President Abraham Lincoln delivered a speech at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery, in Gettysburg, PA, after the Union Army defeated Confederate Army in the Battle of Gettysburg, the Civil War's deadliest battle. It only had 271 words.

11/15/24 - Happy 82nd Birthday, Daniel Barenboim!

Daniel is an Israeli pianist, conductor, and a fabulous musician. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, he promotes peace through music in the Middle East. He was married to the late British cellist, Jacqueline du Pré.

11/14/24 - Happy Birthday, Aaron Copland!

An American composer, teacher, pianist, and conductor, born on this day in 1900, in New York City, Copeland was considered one of the greatest American composers in the 20th century. He received a Pulitzer Prize for his work - Appalachian Spring, a Ballet, in 1944

11/5/24 - To vote is to be a good citizen

Today is the U.S. voting day. Many people already voted early by using the mail-in ballets, like Ms. Lee. It is our civic duty to choose our political leaders. Let your voice be heard! Go to your voting booth or mail in your ballet.

11/1/24 - Celebrate the Native American Heritage Month!

While the first American Indian Day was celebrated in May 1916 in New York, the National Native American Heritage Month is now celebrated each year in November. It is a time to celebrate the culture, traditions, inventions, languages, rituals and ceremonies of Native Americans.

10/31/24 - Happy Halloween!

As a mom/grandma/music teacher, Ms. Lee likes safe and fun Halloween events. Here are a few music selections for this very special day: Franz Liszt -"Totentanz", John Williams -"Hedwig's Theme", and Edward Grieg - "In the Hall of the Mountain King." Enjoy and be safe!

10/24/24 - Happy Birthday, KUSC!

This cool radio station started it's broadcast on this day in 1946! It is the only classical music station in Southern California now. The programing of this station is based on listeners' support, no commercials. Ms. Lee supports it with a monthly donation. Come and listen at KUSC.

10/21/24 - 10/25/24 - KUSC Fall Membership Drive!

During the next five days, KUSC designates the Fall fundraising days to generate more listeners for classical music and do good for the Southern California communities. If each listener donate five dollars each month, the station will be in super secure position for years to come. Give a listen!

10/17/24 - 10/20/24 - PSO Classical Spooktacular

Music Director, Carl St.Clair and Principal Violist, Meredith Crawford join the fabulous musicians at Pacific Symphony Orchestra will perform program includes John Williams "Devil's Dance" from"The Witches of Eastwick", Kenji Bunch "The Devil's Box for Viola and Orchestra" and Hector Berlioz "Symphonie fantastique, Op. 14."

10/5/24 - Happy Birthday, Walt Disney!

An American animator, film producer, and entrepreneur, Walt was the pioneer of the American animation industry. He created Mickey Mouse in 1928, made many movies, built Disneyland in Anaheim, California, received Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1964, and started Disney World in 1965.

10/1/24 - Happy Birthday, President Jimmy Carter!

The 39th President of the United States of America has turned 100 years old today! A peanut grower, a peace maker (signed peace treaty between Egypt and Israel) and a climate change supporter (bringing solar panels to the White House in 1979), Carter is the first U.S. President to be 100 years old!

9/30/24 - Die Zauberflöte, turns 233 today!

Mozart's opera "The Magic Flute," with a German libretto by Emanuel Schikaneder, premiered at Schikaneder's Freihaus-Theater auf der Wieden in Vienna, in 1791. From the overture through the two acts, it gave us many famous songs, such as "Papagena" and "The Queen of the Night."

9/26/24 - Congratulations, Maestro Carl St. Clair & PSO!

As a Tier One Orchestra in the U.S., the Pacific Symphony, with Maestro Carl St. Clair in his 35th year as the music director, has opened their 2024-25 season! The opening concert program includes works by Ticheli, Ravel, Rachmaninoff, and Beethoven. Come and enjoy!

9/26/24 - Happy Birthday, George Gershwin!

One of the most popular and significant American composers of the 20th century. A son of Russian-Jewish immigrants, he was credited for bringing classical music and Jazz together in his works, such as Rhapsody in Blue, An American in Paris, and Porgy and Bess.

9/20/24 - KUSC Listeners, you did it!

The top three listeners voted music were composed by Antonin Dvorak, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Ludwig Van Beethoven. They were all symphonic works for orchestra, but Beethoven included a choral portion in his Ninth Symphony last movement. Bravo!

9/11/2024 - Never Forget!

In the United States of America, Patriot Day occurs on September 11th each year in memory of the thousands of people who were killed in the September 11th attacks in New York, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania, U.S.A. in the year of 2001.

9/1/2024 - Festival of Children, 2024!

September is the National Child Awareness Month. In California, Orange county has been a participant for 17 years with the Festival of Children Foundation leading in action at the South Coast Plaza and all neighborhoods for our children. Come and enjoy!

8/29/2024 - Happy Birthday, Michael Jackson!

Born in 1958, Michael was one of the best American artists, a singer, songwriter, producer, and dancer. There is a musical based on his life, called "MJ" in New York and London, and a Cirque du Soleil show, called "Michael Jackson One" in Las Vegas, Nevada.

8/19/2024 - Happy Birthday, Orville Wright!

Born in 1871, Orville had jobs as a printer, publisher, bicycle retailer, and most famously, inventor. Wilbur, his older brother, and Orville invented airplane together, starting with a glider at Kitty Hawk, N.C.

8/14/2024 - Schools start today!

Ms. Lee wishes all her students who go to Orange County School of the Arts and Samueli Academy a wonderful first day of school! And students who go to Irvine Unified District Schools and UCI, you are next!

8/14/2024 - Who is Usain Bolt?

During the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games, Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt won both the 100-metres and the 200-metres gold medals, and set world records! He becoming the first person to win the events in three consecutive Olympics.

8/1/2024 - Happy Birthday, Francis Scott Key!

Born in 1779, Francis Scott Key was an American lawyer, author, and poet from Frederick, Maryland, best known as the author of the poem of "The Star-Spangled Banner." He watched the British bombardment of Fort McHenry in 1814 during the War of 1812.

8/1/2024 - The element, Oxygen, was discovered!

Joseph Priestley, friend of Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, was a minister, teacher, author, and philosopher. He was working in a lab in England and investigating many types of gases. On August 1, 1774, he discovered oxygen.

7/31/2024 - Ms. Lee became the first Speaker for PSO this year

After training in April, Ms. Lee became one of the Speakers in Pacific Symphony Orchestra's Speakers Bureau. Her duty is to inform, educate, and inspire the people of Orange County about the Pacific Symphony and encourage everyone to participate in concerts and other activities of the Pacific Symphony.

7/25/2024 - Beautiful Quebec City, here comes Ms. Lee!

Searching high and low, Ms. Lee found an AirBnB that was located in the heart of the Old Town Quebec City, which was built in the early 1600s. There is a castle, now Fairmont Hotel, and the Citadel. She has enjoyed French Canadian food a lot.

7/22/2024 - Greetings from Montreal, Canada!

After a Toronto wedding, Ms. Lee has moved onto Montreal by VIARail Canadian train. Very comfortable train ride, smooth and fast. The best part was that lunch was included! She stayed next to the Notre Dame Basilica.

7/20/2024 - A well-planned and executed wedding!

About 75 family and friends attend Ms. Lee's son's wedding. His bride had brought Ukrainian traditions into the wedding ceremony while a very loud and action-packed Chinese lion dance was present during the reception.

7/8/2024 - Happy National Video Games Day!

It is the day we celebrate video games fun! From Pac-Man, Super Mario, Tetris, Prince of Persia, The Legend of Zelda, Minecraft, Elden Ring, Civilization IV, using Gameboy, PlayStation, XBox, and more, what is/was your favorite?

7/8/2024 - Happy Birthday, Percy Grainger!

This Australian-born composer, conductor, arranger, and pianist who moved to United States in 1914. His music was created in original work forms and in folksong settings, such as "Harvest Hymn" and "Molly on the Shore."

7/4/2024 - Happy Independence Day, America!

On this day in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress that declared the thirteen American colonies were no longer subject to the monarch of Britain, and were united and free!

6/19/2024 - Celebrate Juneteenth, Freedom Day!

On June 19, 1865, the Emancipation Proclamation, signed by President Abrahan Lincoln that had been issued on January 1, 1863, was read to enslaved African Americans in Texas by Union Major General Gordon Granger.

6/18/2024 - Happy Birthday, Sir Paul McCartney!

With jazz influence from his dad, the self-taught guitar and piano player, Paul started to compose music as a teenager. Later, joined the Beatles and became one of the most successful musicians in different genres.

6/16/2024 - Happy Father's Day!

Let's celebrate today by thanking all dads and wishing them a fantastic day full of love, joy, and happiness!
Luther Vandross' "Dance With My Father" has been one of Ms. Lee's favorite song.

6/6/2024 - Happy birthday, Aram Khachaturian!

This Russian composer was famous for his Piano Concerto and his ballet Gayane (the Adagio was used in the movie "2001: a space odyssey"), which includes the popular, rhythmically stirring ‘Sabre Dance.’ HB to Ms. Lee too!

6/6/2024 - The 80th Anniversary of D-Day

It has been 80 years since the first day of the Normandy landings that laid the foundations for the Allied defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II.
Never forget and let's celebrate the good!

6/5/2024 - Happy Birthday, Maestro!

It is our Maestro's birthday! Come to Segerstrom Concert Hall to enjoy performances by the Pacific Symphony and the Grammy-awarded Pacific Chorale. This weekend's concerts include Morten Lauridsen's Lux Aeterna and Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, "Choral."

5/27/2024 to 6/10/2024 - The Music of Hope

Pacific Symphony's talented musicians will perform daily on the City of Hope blue 'Hope' Yamaha grand piano.
Visit South Coast Plaza’s Jewel Court to enjoy City of Hope Orange County’s Music of Hope exhibit in celebration of cancer survival stories.

5/20/2024 - Celebrate Mozart at Segerstrom

Just got home from New Mexico, Ms. Lee joined the volunteers to support the Pacific Symphony's Class Act program, with over 2,400 students, chaperons, and teachers in the Segerstrom Concert Hall, for a performance of Mozart's Music by the musicians of Pacific Symphony.

5/18/2024 - Santa Fe, New Mexico, Art Country!

Ms. Lee and friends Have arrived Santa Fe, New Mexico. She is thinking about purchasing a couple of sculptures here. Don't be surprised to see some art works in her front yard at home in the future.

5/12/2024 - Happy Mother's Day weekend to everyone!

This Mother's Day card is for you and your family,
from Ms. Lee, with music based on Symphony no. 82,
"The Bear", by Joseph Haydn. Enjoy!

5/10/2024 - IVC Symphonic Orchestra performance!

Irvine Valley College Symphony Orchestra's Harmony in Motion is scheduled for Sunday, 5/12/24: A Celebration of IVC Talent featuring Eleanor Núñez, Conductor, Alex Belzer, Student Composer, and Sydney Nguyen, Student Conductor.

5/7/2024 - Happy Anniversary, Beethoven!

The Beethoven last Symphony, including "Ode to Joy", was first performed in 1824 in Vienna on this day, where the German composer lived and worked for most of his life.

5/7/2024 - Happy Birthday (1833), Johannes Brahms!

German composer and pianist, he concentrated on traditional forms and wrote four symphonies, four concertos, chamber and piano music, choral works including the German Requiem (1857–68), and nearly 200 songs.

5/6/2024 - News from the 2024 New York Met Gala!

Every year, the star-studded affair takes place at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The theme for this year's gala is 'Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion.' Historically, Rhianna arrives last.

5/3/2024 - Music Fundamentals class, everyone!

To help others, Ms. Lee has connected with the Samueli Academy, a charter school in Santa Ana. She proposed to teach a basic music class for high school music readiness!

4/23/2024 - Happy Birthday, William Shakespeare!

Shakespeare was born in 1564, an English playwright, poet, and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language. Also, HB to Ms. Lee's nephew!

4/22/2024 - Happy Earth Day 2024!

Ms. Lee cares about the Earth greatly! Her house has solar panels and low water irrigation plants. She is replacing her lawns with native plants and patio spaces soon.

4/16/2024 - Good luck, IUSD Honors Concert!

As a conductor, director, accompanist, and arranger in the previous IUSD Honors Concerts, Ms. Lee wishes everyone a fantastic performance tonight at Segerstrom Concert Hall!

4/8/2024 - Total Solar Eclipse today!

A total solar eclipse will take place at the Moon's ascending node today, visible across the U.S., from Texas to Maine.

4/1/2024 - Happy Birthday, Sergei Rachmaninoff!

NOT April Fools! Rachmaninoff was a fantastic pianist and composer. When he doubted his ability to compose, he waited years to go back to that profession. His melodic lines were so beautiful that many of his Vocalise were used as solo instrument pieces. Pianist Yuja Wang performed all of the Rachmaninoff piano and orchestra works in ONE Day in 2023!

3/31/2024 - Happy Birthday, Franz Joseph Haydn!

There was the younger brother, Michael Haydn, in the family, but our birthday boy was the composer who wrote 106 symphonies, including the famous "Surprise Symphony" to wake up the audience who fell asleep in his concert. His Cello Concerto in C Major was recently performed by Sterling Elliott with the Pacific Symphony Orchestra.

3/19/2024 - Welcome to Spring 2024!

Some beautiful music to celebrate the first day of Spring 24: Besides the usual "Spring" from "The Four Seasons" by Vivaldi, the "The Rite of Spring" by Stravinsky, here is "Appalachian Spring" by Aaron Copland, performed by University of Maryland, School of Music, and a video of nature named "Spring Waltz Chopin".

3/14/2024 - What is a Pi Day?

Pi (3.14) is a mathematical constant that expresses the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter. It is part of many formulas used in physics, astronomy, engineering and other fields, dating back thousands of years to ancient Egypt, Babylon and China.
Icing on the cake, Happy birthday to Albert Einstein!

3/2/2024 - Orchestra Concert at IVC

The Irvine Valley College Orchestra had a concert on a rainy day. The program included cinematic classics, such as, "The Magnificent Seven", "Downton Abby", and "The Pirates of Caribbean" and Beethoven's Triple Concerto. Ms. Lee was first chair in cello section this time.

3/1/2024 - Happy Birthday, Chopin!

One of the best piano music composers, Chopin was born near Warsaw, Poland, in 1810. He wrote Mazurka, Waltzes, Nocturnes, Polonaises, Ballades, Études, Impromptus, Scherzos, Preludes, Sonatas and two Concertos. Ms. Lee plays many of them.

2/29/2024 - Happy Leap Day Birthday!

After many years of music teaching in school systems, Ms. Lee had only two students who were born on a Leap Day. Happy 4th and 9th Birthday to you two!

2/21/2024 - Pacific Symphony League at NEGU

The Pacific Symphony League, a volunteer group, spent this morning in the Jessie Rees Foundation to donate, make blankets, and put together Joy Jars.

2/14/2024 - Happy Valentine's Day!

This is a happy day for children all over to enjoy friendships and candies. It also marks the last Mozart Teachers Workshop with Ms. Lee for PSO's Class Act.

2/12/2024 - Rhapsody In Blue turns 100!

George Gershwin's original manuscript says it’s for jazz band and piano solo. It was premiered at Manhattan’s Aeolian Hall on February 12, 1924

2/10/2024 - Happy Lunar New Year!

It is the Year of the Dragon, see how Asian communities around the world celebrate 2024 Lunar New Year. Traditionally, 15 days, now, in space!

2/8/2024 - Happy Birthday, John Williams!

This American award-winning composer just won his 26th GRAMMY Award with "Helena's Theme" on 2/4/24, during the 66th Grammy Awards ceremony.

2/4/2024 - Watch the GRAMMY Awards today!

As the only peer-recognized music award, the GRAMMY is the music industry’s highest honor. This year's celebration is to be held at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California.

2/1/2024 -Puccini's La Bohème turns 128!

The world premiere of La Bohème was in Turin on 2/1/1896 at the Teatro Regio, conducted by the 28-year-old Arturo Toscanini. Listen to Angel Blue, of Metropolitan Opera, sings from Mimì’s Act I aria.

1/31/2024 - The Jackson 5 - "I Want You Back"!

The Jackson Five scored their first No.1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with “I Want You Back" on 1/31/1970.

1/30/2024 - Rubik's Cube, anyone?

On this day, in 1975, Ern? Rubik applied for a patent for his "Magic Cube" invention in Budapest, Hungary. During the Nuremberg Toy Fair in 1978, it was renamed as Rubik's Cube for the world.

1/27/2024 - Happy Birthday, Amade!

It is Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's 268th birthday! Let's celebrate with lots of Mozart's music, from keyboard solos, string quartets, concertos, symphonies, to operas! It takes more than 260 hours to play all his 626 works!

1/25/2024 - Who is coming to the party?

In honor of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's birthday on this coming Saturday, 1/27, let's have a party! As any musician would tell you, early is on time. Therefore, start preparing that party NOW!

1/22/2024 - Celebrate the Apple Macintosh computer

The Apple Macintosh computer was unveiled during a Super Bowl advertisement on this day in 1984. The first sale came on 1/24/1984. Ms. Lee had several of them in her music school.

1/2/2024 - National Science Fiction Day

In honor of this beautiful day, we can listen to the music of "Star Wars" by John Williams and "The Planets" by Gustav Holst. Music is made with science!

12/31/2023 -Good-bye 2023!

Ms. Lee hopes everyone had a good 2023! Be healthy and safe!

12/22/2023 - A Christmas card for you!

For all Kaii's friends who celebrate the festivities of Christmas,
Ms. Lee wishes you a Merry Christmas!

12/21/2023 - Winter Solstice

For Orange County, California, this year's Winter Solstice happens at 7:27 pm TODAY! Let's celebrate the first day of Winter and let the fun begin! Cheers!

12/12/2023 - Happy Birthday, Edvard Munch!

Born in Löten, Norway, Edvard was a famous artist. His famous works included psychological themes, such as "The Scream" and "Separation." Look at these emotions! One of his good friends was Norwegian musician Edvard Grieg.

11/27/23 - Happy Birthday, Jimi! He would be 81 today!

Did you know that Jimi Hendrix lived next door to George Handel? Not during the same time period, of course. If you like to visit, the Handel Hendrix House is made up of two residences: Handel’s house at 25 Brook Street and Hendrix’s flat at the top floor of 23 Brook Street.

11/15/2023 and beyond

The Pacific Symphony Orchestra's Class Act program will focus on Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in the 23-24 school year. The first Teacher Workshop of the year is scheduled for today.

Ms. Lee has designed the presentation and will present it to Orange County schools from La Habra to Mission Viejo.

10/23/2023 - Happy 20th Anniversary, Disney Concert Hall!

This wold-class concert hall was opened in Los Angeles on Thursday, 12/23/2003. Many famous conductors and musicians have performed here in the last 20 years! It is the home for LA Phil and the current conductor is Gustavo Dudamel.

10/4/23 - "Another One Bites the Dust" from this day in 1980

Queen started a three-week run at No.1 on the US singles chart. The song spent 15 weeks in the Billboard top 10 (the longest-running top ten song of 1980). Queen will perform in the new Los Angeles' BMO Stadium on November 11th and 12th, 2023.

9/26/23 - Happy Birthday, George Gershwin!

Rhapsody in Blue, the 1976 performance of Leonard Bernstein with the New York Philharmonic! Gershwin's Prelude No.1, rearranged Prelude No.1 for One Piano Four-Hands