Alison Lee

Alison Lee is a Lecturer and staff collaborative pianist at San Francisco Conservatory of Music’s Pre-College Division, where she teaches piano, chamber music, and music theory while maintaining an active performance career as a soloist and chamber musician.

Education:

• Doctor of Musical Arts (Piano Performance), University of Minnesota
• Master of Music, Rice University Shepherd School of Music
• Bachelor of Music, Oberlin Conservatory of Music

Her research and performance interests center on classical piano repertoire with deep specialization in Beethoven, Schubert, Ravel, and Brahms. Lee actively explores interpretive approaches to solo and chamber works, particularly the complete Beethoven Cello Sonatas performed with cellist Isaac Pastor-Chermak. Her pedagogical focus emphasizes physical technique development, musical expression, and chamber music collaboration for students of all ages.

Scientific Awards:

• Coeur d’Alene Symphony’s National Young Artists Competition (Top Prize)
• Thursday Musical’s Scholarship Competition (Top Prize)
• Dorothy van Waynen Piano Competition (Top Prize)
• Graves Piano Competition (Top Prize)
• Midwest International Piano Competition (Second Prize)

Lee maintains private teaching studios in Berkeley and Fremont, CA, serving students of all ages and levels. She directs the East Bay Music Foundation’s Chamber Music Festival and created the Ensemble Matching Service to connect K-12 students into chamber ensembles. Her performance schedule includes regular collaborations with ensembles like the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Marin Symphony, and Left Coast Chamber Ensemble, alongside annual appearances at summer programs including the Castleman Quartet Program.

Lee co-founded piano trio Ensemble 1828 and frequently tours with programs featuring diverse repertoire. She has released three commercial albums with cellist Isaac Pastor-Chermak: Preludes and Prologues, 1948: The Cello Sonata After World War II, and Brahms Cello Sonatas and Songs, with a complete Beethoven Cello Sonatas recording planned for 2027.