~Pianists in Marjorie Lee Piano Studio~
Dakota Man
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CALEB DING
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EMMA HOU
I'm a seventh grader at Herbert Hoover Middle School in Potomac, MD. I began playing piano at the age of five and have been studying with Dr. Lee since 2020. Under her guidance, my technique and musical interpretation have improved tremendously, especially my arch!
I am an award-winning young pianist, having received honors in competitions such as the Robert Spencer Piano Concerto Competition, NVMTA District Auditions, Hartman Piano Competition, and the Sonata Festival. While my musical inspirations are composers like Debussy and Schumann, my other passions include tennis, crocheting, and playing with my energetic dog, Landon. |
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SAMANTHA REN
Hi, my name is Samantha and I am from Germantown, Maryland. I am a rising Junior at Richard Montgomery High School in the International Baccalaureate Magnet program in Rockville, Maryland. I have been studying piano with Dr. Lee for 7 years, since 2018, and I have learned much about listening, tone, and interpretation. My favorite composer is Debussy and I enjoy playing music from the impressionist period. I have three pets, one dog, Faith, and two cats, Luke and Leia. In my free time, I enjoy swimming, reading, and spending time with my family and friends.
2025 HONORS RECIPIENTS ~ Northern Virginia Music Teachers Sonata Recital
Angelina Song-Ye, Daniel Du, Caleb Ding, Theodore Kim, Bowen Wu, Ryan Qin, Ellie Zhao and Ellie Jiang
THAI NGUYEN |
Hi! I am Thai Nguyen and I am a homeschooled 11th grader. I have been studying with Dr. Lee for 9 years and have enjoyed it very much. Aside from playing piano, I enjoy fishing, playing basketball, and boating. I was the 2024 second-place winner of FMMC Scholarship Competition. The first-place winner of Maryland State Music Teachers E.R. Davis Competition for grades 9 & 10.
DANIEL DUHi, I’m Daniel!
I’m in 2nd grade, and I’ve been playing piano for 3 years. I started learning with Dr. Lee last year and I really like my lessons with her. I' had a great time at WMTA Modern Music Celebration and I'm looking forward to the 2025 NVMTA Bach FestivalI. I am having fun learning new songs and getting better at playing as I performed in the NVMTA General Recital When I’m not playing piano, I love building Lego, doing math, and playing soccer. can’t wait to learn even more piano songs! |
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Hello everyone! My name is Ellie Jiang and I’m a rising sixth grader at Westbriar Elementary School. I’ve been in the studio for 5 years, and I love being a part of our studio! I’ve been able to see myself grow so much from the moment I started playing piano! I’ve played so many unique and different songs and I have met so many talented pianists in competitions and in our studio especially. One of the achievements I am most proud of is winning 1st place in the Robert Spencer concerto competition. Some of my favorite composers include Liszt, Beethoven, and Bach. Besides piano, I like to read, draw, and play tennis. A favorite book of mine is Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano.
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ELLIE JIANG |
ZACK LAM
Zack is a 17-year-old junior at the International Baccalaureate® (IB) Magnet Program of Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville, Maryland. Recently, Zack has won first prize at the Friday Morning Music Club George S. Manos Piano Competition, MSMTA E. R. Davis Piano Competition, and NVMTA Achievement Awards Piano Competition, and NVMTA Robert Spencer Piano Concerto Competition. He also won first prize at the 2023 Virginia Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Senior Piano Competition, representing Virginia in the MTNA Southern Division Piano Competition, and second prize at the 2024 Enkor International Piano Competition. Zack has won prizes at over 44 regional, national, and international competitions, performing at Van Cliburn Hall, the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, and the George Mason University Center for the Arts. In June of 2024, he attended the 44th PianoTexas International Festival in Fort Worth. He was also recently featured in National Public Radio’s From The Top, performing Ornstein’s Waltz No. 7. In the past few years, he has taken masterclasses with Arie Vardi, Robert McDonald, Stephen Spooner, Peter Takacs, and Enrico Elisi, among others. This summer, Zack will be performing Prokofiev's Second Piano Concerto with the Naptown Philharmonic Orchestra and attending the Juilliard Summer Piano Program in New York City. A proponent of interdisciplinary musicianship and venturing outside the standard repertoire, Zack enjoys piano improvisation and plans on programming the works of several underappreciated composers, including Leo Ornstein and Charles-Valentin Alkan. Outside of piano, Zack enjoys writing poetry and essays, studying history and economics, and debating current events and philosophy.
Sofie Schopfer
Sofie Schopfer is a 9th grader at Thomas Jefferson High School and lives in Vienna, Virginia. She has been playing piano since she was 6 and has recently joined our studio.Sofie enjoys reading, theater, and rock climbing. She loves traveling with friends and family.
Hi! My name is Emma and I am a sixth grader at Herbert Hoover Middle School in Potomac MD. I started to learn piano when I was five, and have been learning piano in Dr. Lee’s piano studio since 2020. Dr. Lee has helped me improve both my interpretation and technique, especially my arch! I received awards from multiple piano competitions including the Robert Spencer Piano Concerto Competition, NVMTA District Auditions, Hartman Piano Competition, and Sonata Festival. Some of my favorite pianists are Debussy and Schumann. When I’m not playing piano, I’m probably doing homework, playing tennis, crocheting, or playing with my energetic, crazy dog, Landon.
KAYE ALLEN
Hi! My name is Kaye Allen, and I am a 10-year-old homeschooler at what my family calls Berlin's Academy of Excellence (BAE). I am the oldest of 5 kids and often babysit my siblings for my mom. Some things I like to do are spending time with dogs, cooking/baking, pottery, art, and traveling. In fact, this February, me and my family all visited my grandparents (on my dad's side) in New Zealand! Not only that, but this Christmas, me and my family are going to Paris, France!!! Lastly, what I want to be when I grow up, I want to train dogs to be in movies.
HIROKI MATSUI
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Hiroki Matsui is an 11th grader at Battlefield High School. He has studied for the past 7 years under Dr. Marjorie Lee. He has won 1st place for the 2024 NVMTA Spencer Concerto Competition, 2022 MSMTA Gertrude Brown S. Memorial Piano Concerto Competition Senior Division, and the 2021 Elite International Competition. He also enjoys playing the oboe, and he is a member of the American Youth Philharmonic Orchestra. He studies under Professor Key. In his free time, he enjoys playing with his dogs.
Hiroki Matsui is an 11th grader at Battlefield High School. He has studied for the past 6 years under Dr. Marjorie Lee. He has won 1st place for the 2024 Piedmont Symphony Orchestra Young Artists Concerto Competition, earning a $3000 scholarship, as well as in the 2024 NVMTA Spencer Concerto Competition, 2022 MSMTA Gertrude Brown S. Memorial Piano Concerto Competition Senior Division, and the 2021 Elite International Competition. He also enjoys playing the oboe, and he is a member of the American Youth Philharmonic Orchestra. He studies under Professor Key. Aside from music, he enjoys studying Biology and Mathematics, and spending time with his dogs.
THEODORE KIM |
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Theodore Kim is a fifth grader at Laurel Ridge Elementary in Spanish Immersion and Advanced Academic Program and has been studying piano with Dr. Marjorie Lee since 2022. He has won many awards including the 2nd place in 2023 VMTA State Audition, 1st place in 2024 NVMTA Achievement Awards, Grand Prize Winner in 2024 Korean Youth Honor Society Music Competition in Washington D.C., performing at Carnegie Hall, 1st place in 2024 WMTA Modern Music Competition, 2025 NVMTA Robert Spencer Piano Concerto and 2025 MSMTA Gertrude Brown Memorial Piano Concerto Competitions. His favorite composers are Chopin and Rachmaninoff. He loves listening to Hayato Sumino’s Jazz rendition of classical music. He is an avid reader, writer and has started getting interested in composition.
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RYAN QIN
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Hi, my name is Ryan Qin and I am 10 years old. I started playing I have been playing piano for 7 years. I like playing the piano because I have learned how to focus by concentrating during my practice sessions. This year I got 1st place in AAMS and third in Spencer Concerto. Outside of piano, I also like to read, do Kung fu, and play Go.
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VERONICA DING |
Veronica is a 5th grader at Pointers Run Elementary School in Clarksville, Maryland. She began her piano journey at the age of 4 with Mary Siciliano in Michigan. Since then, she has earned more than 10 piano awards through the Metropolitan Detroit Musicians League, Schoolcraft College, and the Michigan Music Teachers Association, and for three consecutive years she received a superior rating from the National Federation of Music Clubs. In 2025, Veronica was privileged to join Dr. Marjorie Lee’s studio, where she continues to advance her piano studies. She has also studied the cello for four years and is currently a member of the Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestra. In addition to her musical pursuits, she dedicates her leisure time to cultivating her interests in reading, artworks, as well as practicing fencing and taekwondo competition, reflecting her commitment to both creative expression and physical discipline.
ELLIE ZHAO
Hi everyone, my name is Ellie Zhao. I'll be ten years old in October and I'm a rising third grader at Westbriar Elementary School. This is my 6th year learning piano with Dr. Lee and I am enjoying being one of her students. I like learning new pieces and I enjoy all of the pieces Dr. Lee has assigned me. I also like going to recitals and competitions. This year I’m learning to add more colors to my pieces and play my pieces more musically.
When I’m not playing piano, I like reading, drawing and playing chess. My favorite thing to do outside is playing soccer with my friends.
When I’m not playing piano, I like reading, drawing and playing chess. My favorite thing to do outside is playing soccer with my friends.
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Clara ALLEN
Hi. My name is Clara! I am eight years old. I am homeschooled by my mom.My favorite animal is a🦒 .I am going to Paris for Christmas . I have been studying piano with Dr.Lee for almost one year. I have been to New Zealand! When I grow up I want to be a nurse. I like to make up my own stories. I like to draw, watch movies, and play video games with my sisters Elise and Kaye. I have 28 cousins and most of them live in the Rocky Mountains. I have an American Girl doll and her name is Samantha and her dog's name is Meal. I have my own bedroom .
VALENTINA SONG-YE
I have been studying with Dr. Lee for 6 years (since the
spring of 2020). This past year, I’ve learned many things,
including various details like voicing and appoggiatura. My
favorite piece is Haydn Sonata Hoboken XVI:40 because
of its fast, exciting character and range of color,
expression, and dynamic. I started learning this piece back
in August of 2024, and it took me almost 4 months to
learn. My favorite periods are the Classical and
Romantic periods. In the past several years I have gotten
multiple awards, such as a 3rd place in Achievement
Awards and honors in the Sonata Festival. Outside of piano, I also do robotics, table
tennis, and art. I look forward to another incredible year with Dr. Lee!
spring of 2020). This past year, I’ve learned many things,
including various details like voicing and appoggiatura. My
favorite piece is Haydn Sonata Hoboken XVI:40 because
of its fast, exciting character and range of color,
expression, and dynamic. I started learning this piece back
in August of 2024, and it took me almost 4 months to
learn. My favorite periods are the Classical and
Romantic periods. In the past several years I have gotten
multiple awards, such as a 3rd place in Achievement
Awards and honors in the Sonata Festival. Outside of piano, I also do robotics, table
tennis, and art. I look forward to another incredible year with Dr. Lee!
Hi, my name is Angelina. I am 12 years old and a 7th
grader at Kilmer Middle School. In the past few years
I've earned 1st place in Viola Hartman Piano Competition,
two 1st places in WMTA Modern Music, 3rd place in
Achievement, 1st place in NVMTA Piano Concerto
Festival, and various other miscellaneous awards (duet
competitions, school awards, etc). Studying piano with
Dr. Lee has not only improved my piano skills but taught
me other lessons too. I'm excited to play more Prokofiev
and Rachmaninoff pieces next year (I've never played a
Prokofiev so I would love to learn one). While learning a
piece I like to imagine a story that follows the shape of
the music, as it helps me with expression and
memorization. Aside from piano, I enjoy reading, drawing,
running, and doing math problems and logic puzzles.
grader at Kilmer Middle School. In the past few years
I've earned 1st place in Viola Hartman Piano Competition,
two 1st places in WMTA Modern Music, 3rd place in
Achievement, 1st place in NVMTA Piano Concerto
Festival, and various other miscellaneous awards (duet
competitions, school awards, etc). Studying piano with
Dr. Lee has not only improved my piano skills but taught
me other lessons too. I'm excited to play more Prokofiev
and Rachmaninoff pieces next year (I've never played a
Prokofiev so I would love to learn one). While learning a
piece I like to imagine a story that follows the shape of
the music, as it helps me with expression and
memorization. Aside from piano, I enjoy reading, drawing,
running, and doing math problems and logic puzzles.
SANDY CHOU
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My name is Sandy Chou and I am a rising 7th grader from Westbriar Elementary School and going to Kilmer middle school next year. I have been studying with Dr. Lee for five years which I have learned countless things from her, ranging from theory and sightreading information to tips that help me play better in some pieces. The things I like to do besides piano are, playing video games, equestrian, reading books and comic books, swimming, spending time with my family, and playing with my dog. One of my favorite pieces I like would be Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto no.2 because it has lots of details that I would love to learn. I have recently been in the Piano Achievement Awards and learned not to be that nervous or you will make a mistake more likely because your mind is on a different topic then the piece that you are playing. I have also learned that a competition is not just about competing, it is also about the learning experience you get from yourself and other competitors.
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Gregory Peng
Hi, my name is Gregory Peng, I am a rising Junior at Thomas Jefferson High School. September 14th I am performing at George Mason Performing Arts Center having been chosen for the Young Artists Musicale.
I've been studying with Dr. Lee for over seven years now. Over that time, I've won many awards, including first place at the Harman and Modern Music Festival. Outside of piano, I enjoy studying biology, socializing, and shopping. |
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Darius Lim |
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Sarah Lim |
Darius Lim is a fourth grader at BASIS Independent McLean. In 2024, he joined Dr. Lee’s studio and she ignited a deep passion in him for the piano. Darius also enjoys reading, swimming, and ice skating. I hope to be a great pianist someday!
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Hi! My name is Sarah Lim. I am five years old and go to Kindergarten at Basis Independent McLean. I started playing piano with Dr Lee in Apr 2024 and I love it so much! I also love all things pink and princesses. I enjoy music and ballet and can’t wait to learn more!Sarah Lim is a second grader at BASIS Independent McLean. Beginning in 2024, Dr Lee has nurtured her love for piano. Besides music, Sarah also enjoys ballet, swimming and shopping.
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CALEB DING
BOWEN WU
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BOYA WU
Boya is a second-grade student in the French Immersion Program at Kent Gardens Elementary School. She has been studying piano with Dr. Lee since August 2022. She has received several awards over the past two years, including First Places in WMTA Haydn Sonata and WMTA Hartman, Honor in NVMTA Judged Recital, Second Place in NVMTA District Audition, Third Places in NVMTA Concerto Festival (with special thanks to her brother Bowen for accompanying her) and NVMTA Piano Ensemble, and Honorable Mentions at the International Young Artist Piano Competition and NVMTA Achievement. She loves playing pieces that are full of color and character. She is also passionate about drawing; her artwork was selected to represent Kent Gardens at the 2025 McLean Pyramid Art Show. Outside of school and art, she enjoys dancing, swimming, tennis, hiking, reading and writing her travelogue while ‘voyager’ with her family.
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Rosalie Glover
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I have studied piano for 1 year with Dr. Lee. I also take private violin lessons.
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Sophie Elston |
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I am a rising fifth grader at ACE in Reston.
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Ena Jung
Hi! My name is Ena and I started playing the piano for the first time with Dr. Lee in January 2023. Since then, I've learned to love music and enjoy playing new pieces. Besides piano, I love ballet, ice skating, reading, arts and craft, smelling flowers, and everything that's bunnies!
