35+
Years of teaching
Nurturing exceptional young pianists
Michelle Lee School for Gifted Young Pianists
Concert pianist and professor Michelle Lee earned both her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in Piano Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. For more than 35 years, she has guided over 300 award-winning pianists through a patient, loving, and individualized approach.
300+
Award-winning pianists
1,500+
Competition awards
35 Years
Teaching excellence
300+
Award-winning pianists
1,500+
Competition awards
Global
World-stage performances
Teaching philosophy
Inspiring artistry. Building confidence. Creating lifelong musicians.
Concert pianist and professor Michelle Lee has taught more than 300 award-winning pianists and recording artists during her distinguished 35-year career as an educator.
Michelle Lee earned both her Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and her Master of Music in Piano Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
Her patient, loving, and individualized approach helps every student develop artistry, technical confidence, disciplined practice habits, and a lifelong love for piano playing.
Her students have earned more than 1,500 awards in international and national competitions, received four-year full scholarships to leading universities and music schools, and performed in celebrated concert halls throughout the world.
Michelle Lee is a former faculty member of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and a former professor at Sogang University.
Artistry
Cultivating musical imagination, expression, and interpretive depth.
Technique
Building a secure technical foundation with precision and freedom.
Confidence
Preparing students to perform with poise, resilience, and conviction.
Lifelong musicianship
Instilling independence, curiosity, and a lasting love for piano.
A distinguished musical heritage
A direct pedagogical lineage to Franz Liszt
Michelle Lee studied with concert pianist Edith Knox, a pupil of Alexander Siloti, who studied with Franz Liszt. This tradition of virtuosity, imagination, and expressive freedom continues through Michelle's students.
01
Franz Liszt
Legendary pianist, composer, and teacher.
02
Alexander Siloti
Pupil of Franz Liszt and influential concert pianist.
03
Edith Knox
Concert pianist and mentor to Michelle Lee.
04
Michelle Lee
Carrying the tradition forward through a new generation.
At the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Michelle Lee also studied piano with Erna Gulabyan and Mack McCray.
Star student performance
Theresa Nguyen, age 13, in performance
Watch Michelle Lee's student Theresa Nguyen, age 13, demonstrate the artistry, discipline, confidence, and musical maturity developed through her training.
Theresa Nguyen, age 13 · Featured student performance
Award-winning student performance
Sarabella Last · Double Gold Medalist
Michelle Lee's student Sarabella Last is a Double Gold Medalist who performed in the USOMC Showcase Piano Solo competition.
Sarabella Last · Double Gold Medalist · USOMC Showcase Piano Solo
Remarkable student progress
Michael Vu, age 12, performing Chopin's "Ocean" Etude
Michael Vu, age 12, is a student of Michelle Lee who began learning piano at age 11. Here he is, after one year of lessons, performing Chopin's "Ocean" Etude at the MTAC Recital at Santa Clara University.
Michael Vu, age 12 · One year of piano study
Young talent in performance
Suki Gu, age 7, performing Beethoven's "Waldstein" Sonata
Suki Gu, age 7, performing Beethoven's "Waldstein" Sonata at Le Petit Trianon.
Suki Gu, age 7 · Beethoven's "Waldstein" Sonata at Le Petit Trianon
Performances on the world stage
From distinguished halls around the world
Michelle Lee's students have performed at internationally recognized concert halls across the United States and Europe.
Carnegie Hall · New York City
David Kwan, 15 years old, making his Carnegie Hall debut in New York
Michelle Lee student David Kwan, age 15, making his Carnegie Hall debut in New York City at one of the world's most distinguished concert venues.
Musikverein Hall · Vienna, Austria
Adrian Nguyen, 15 years old, making his European debut at Musikverein Hall in Vienna, Austria
Michelle Lee student Adrian Nguyen, age 15, making his European debut at the celebrated Musikverein Hall in Vienna, Austria.
Mozarteum · Salzburg, Austria
Mindy Truong, 14 years old, performing at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria
Michelle Lee student Mindy Truong, age 14, performing at the celebrated Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria.
Weill Recital Hall · Carnegie Hall, New York City
Rajit Pandey, 14 years old, performing at Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall, in New York
Michelle Lee student Rajit Pandey, age 14, performing at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
International Young Artist Competition
Rachel Li, Virtuoso Scholarship Award winner, performing at the International Young Artist Competition
Michelle Lee student Rachel Li, recipient of the Virtuoso Scholarship Award, performing at the International Young Artist Competition.
Recent student honors
Exceptional results in competitions, scholarships, and performance
Explore selected achievements earned by Michelle Lee's students from 2024 through 2026.
No achievements match the selected filters.
Official award record
2024 CAPMT Concerto North Regional Competition
Official competition results including six students taught by Michelle Lee.
Michelle Lee's student results
Yuexuan (Suzy) Xu — First Place
Rachel Li — Honorable Mention
Mindy Truong — Second Place
Caleb Matthew Santiago — Second Place
Ryan Modafe — Third Place
Shangchen Li — Honorable Mention
Admission by audition
Begin your musical journey
Prospective students and families are invited to share the student's age, repertoire, years of study, recent performances, competition experience, and musical goals.
Studio address
1072 S. De Anza Blvd. Suite B105
Cupertino, CA 95129
Cupertino, CA 95129
Direct email
pianistmichelle@yahoo.com
Frequently asked questions
Auditions and studio information
Admission is by audition. Families should submit the student's
background, current repertoire, experience, goals, and an
optional performance video.
Yes. Instruction may include competition, audition, concerto,
recital, scholarship, and conservatory preparation based on each
student's readiness and goals.
The studio is located at 1072 S. De Anza Boulevard, Suite B105,
Cupertino, California 95129.
Yes. The form opens your own email application and prepares a
message addressed directly to Michelle.