We recently connected with Ellie Lee and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Ellie , thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

On May 24, 2024, I released my first full-length album, Escape — a deeply meaningful project that marked a turning point in my musical journey. While I had previously been active as a session player and accompanist in various capacities, Escape was the first time I stepped forward as the lead artist under my own name.

What made this project especially significant was that it was composed entirely of my original music — songs I had written and held close for nearly a decade. Over the years, I collected these compositions as fragments of personal expression, never knowing exactly when or how I would share them. This album became the moment when I finally brought them to life and offered them to the world.

Beyond being a creative milestone, Escape was an act of reclaiming authorship, voice, and identity as a composer and performer. It required me not only to produce and perform but to shape the entire artistic direction of the work — a liberating and empowering experience that redefined what music means to me.

Ellie , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Ellie (Seunghyung) Lee, and I am a jazz pianist, composer, and music educator based in the New York and New Jersey area. I work actively in both the U.S. and South Korea, engaging in performances, recording projects, and teaching. My musical work spans jazz, classical, pop, R&B/soul, and gospel, blending diverse influences into a unique and emotionally resonant voice.

I began playing piano at the age of seven, inspired by my father’s deep love for music and his vast collection of LPs. As a quiet and introverted child, I found in music a language of confidence, courage, and joy—one that allowed me to express what I could not easily put into words. Performing on stage gave me a sense of purpose, and the piano quickly became my lifelong companion.

After years of training and competition, I was admitted to Sookmyung Women’s University in Seoul, South Korea, where I majored in classical piano. It was during this time that I built a strong musical foundation and deepened my understanding of sound and form. But I was always yearning for more freedom in my expression—something I eventually discovered in jazz. Seeking to immerse myself in this new language, I moved to the United States and studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston, supported by a World Tour Scholarship.

At Berklee, I had the privilege of studying under iconic mentors such as Joanne Brackeen, George W. Russell Jr., Tim Ray, and Alain Mallet. Jazz opened my ears and heart to the dialogue between structure and spontaneity, and even rekindled my appreciation for classical music in a new way. I began to hear how Bach and Bill Evans, though worlds apart, both told stories rich with nuance and depth. Playing with ensembles taught me the magic of communication without words—of listening, responding, and sharing meaning through sound.

I later pursued my Master of Music in Jazz Performance at William Paterson University, where I studied under Grammy-winning pianist Bill Charlap and Grammy-nominated pianist Geoffrey Keezer. During this time, I also published a thesis titled A Comparative Analysis of Musical Characteristics of Wynton Kelly and Red Garland in Selected Small Group Settings, which deepened my analytical and historical understanding of jazz.

Today, I lead Ellie’s Jazz Band, teach jazz piano and theory as an adjunct instructor at Felician University, and continue to perform and record actively. In May 2024, I released my debut full-length album Escape, a collection of original compositions written over the past decade. In January 2025, I collaborated with K-pop artist Michelle Lee to release a vocal gospel-pop single titled “Father, My Everything”—marking an important expansion of my work into more vocal and crossover genres.

I strive to blur the lines between jazz and popular music, crafting songs that are both musically rich and emotionally accessible—music that speaks to the heart regardless of genre or background. Whether through composition, performance, or teaching, my mission is to create honest and expressive music that resonates with people and builds connection.

What sets me apart is my ability to merge technical depth with genuine emotional expression, drawing from classical precision, jazz improvisation, and the universal appeal of popular music. I am committed to lifelong learning, to growing as an artist, and to sharing meaningful musical experiences with others across cultures and generations.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

One of the most challenging aspects of being an artist—especially as someone who is also a mother—is managing time. On the surface, having a part-time and flexible schedule may seem ideal for balancing family and career. But in reality, that flexibility can blur the lines between work and home life. As a creative, I need long stretches of uninterrupted time to dive deep into my work. And carving out that time—emotionally and physically—can be incredibly difficult when you are also responsible for your family.

Another thing that people outside the creative world may not fully understand is the constant uncertainty—especially financial. Unlike many traditional careers, income as a musician is rarely consistent. That unpredictability can weigh heavily on your mind, especially when you have a family to support or long-term goals to pursue.

There’s also the emotional side of the creative process. You can practice diligently for weeks or months, but you never know when that work will translate into a meaningful performance. In truth, we don’t control when inspiration will strike, or when progress will become visible. That’s why I’ve learned that the only sustainable way to keep going is to enjoy the process itself—to find joy in the act of making music, in each fleeting moment of connection, rather than clinging to a fixed outcome.

Lastly, for most artists who aren’t signed to major labels, being a musician today means doing almost everything yourself—from creating and recording music to managing promotion, distribution, and logistics. It’s not just about making music anymore; it’s about being your own team. That can be deeply rewarding but also extremely exhausting. And when you’re consumed with the business side of your work, it’s easy to lose the very spark that drove you to create in the first place.

These are the quiet burdens many artists carry—the tension between structure and spontaneity, between love for the art and the weight of real-life responsibilities. And yet, despite it all, I believe that choosing this path is still one of the most meaningful decisions I’ve made.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

At the heart of my creative journey is a simple but deeply personal hope:
that people who listen to my music feel comfort, warmth, and rest.
I want my music to be a gentle companion—something that gives people space to breathe, reflect, and feel less alone in their lives.

This desire for connection is also why I’ve never been drawn to creating overly abstract or intellectually difficult music. My purpose has always been emotional, human, and accessible. I don’t create music to impress—I create it to embrace.

I hope that when someone hears my music, they feel curious about the person behind the notes—not because of technical brilliance, but because something resonated with them emotionally. I want my music to make people feel like they want to sit down with me, talk, or just share a quiet moment together.

This same intention carries into my teaching. Whether I’m performing or teaching, I want to offer an experience that is honest, warm, and rooted in connection. I believe that the most meaningful music—like the most meaningful learning—begins with openness and care.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ellieleemusic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellie.piano
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seunghyung.lee.98
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellie-seunghyung-lee-6674791b5
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Ellielee_official
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/ellie-piano
• Other: https://linktr.ee/elliepiano

Image Credits

Photographer- D.Majun, Design- Jieun Yoon