Life & Work with Rosa Lee of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rosa Lee.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started playing piano when I was just three or four years old — my mother was a piano teacher, so music was always a natural part of my life. From an early age, I was drawn to the piano and would spend hours exploring the instrument, completely absorbed in the sound and the process of learning. It never felt like a chore – it was something I loved deeply and passionately, even as a child.

As I grew older, that love for the piano deepened. I went on to study at The Juilliard School, where I was immersed in a tradition of excellence that profoundly shaped my artistry. I performed with orchestras, competed internationally, and eventually earned my Doctorate in Piano Performance. Along the way, I was fortunate to study with remarkable mentors who influenced not only my technique and musicianship but also my understanding of what it means to be an artist. Their guidance continues to inspire my teaching — I strive to pass down the same passion, discipline, and love to my students.

When my family and I moved to Los Angeles, I began teaching a few students from home. Word spread quickly, and before long, the studio grew into what is now Rosa Lee Piano Studio in Beverly Hills — a place dedicated to high-quality, personalized music education that is both rigorous and nurturing. I teach students as young as four through advanced pianists preparing for MTAC Certificate of Merit, competitions, and auditions, with an emphasis on building strong technique, musicality, and confidence. As the studio expanded, I brought on additional teachers who share the same philosophy — that great teaching balances excellence with empathy.

Today, Rosa Lee Piano Studio is a space where students feel encouraged, challenged, and inspired. Every student learns differently, and I’ve built the studio around that belief: high standards paired with individualized attention. It’s been years of dedication, but it feels like a true privilege to help each student discover their own voice through music.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. In fact, a lot of my journey has been about learning to stay grounded in who I am as a musician, especially in environments where excellence is the norm. When I was accepted into Juilliard, it was one of the proudest moments of my life, but it also opened my eyes. I was suddenly surrounded by extraordinary musicians, and I remember feeling, at times, like giving up if I wasn’t “the best.” That pressure can be intense. What kept me going was the simple truth that I loved music more than I feared not being perfect. That love carried me through.

After graduate school, my career took me across the country. I accepted my first collegiate position as an Assistant Professor of Music at Bethel College in Kansas. Later, life brought me to Boston, where I became faculty at Bunker Hill Community College. These opportunities were meaningful, but each cross-country move made it difficult to maintain a stable studio. I often had to rebuild from the ground up, starting with zero students every time.

Those challenges pushed me to rethink what a “studio” could be. When the world started shifting toward online learning, I leaned in early and built a strong virtual program. Today I teach students not only in Los Angeles, but across the U.S. and even internationally. Pairing that with in-person lessons in Beverly Hills has given the studio a level of reach and resilience I couldn’t imagine years ago.

Every setback forced me to reinvent myself a little. Every move reminded me why I teach. I’m grateful for all of it, because the studio I have now was built through perseverance, flexibility, and a genuine love for helping students grow

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At Rosa Lee Piano Studio, we specialize in classical piano training, while extending far beyond the traditional repertoire. Classical technique is our foundation, and we use it to help students explore film music, pop, improvisation, and their own creative voice. Our goal is to shape well-rounded musicians who are grounded in fundamentals yet inspired to express themselves freely.

We work with a wide range of students—from young beginners to advanced teens preparing for MTAC Certificate of Merit, auditions, and competitions, as well as adults returning to music later in life. Our studio is known for blending rigorous, Juilliard-influenced training with a warm, supportive, and patient teaching style. Students feel challenged in the best way, but never intimidated.

We are incredibly proud of what our students have achieved. Many have won competitions, excelled in auditions, and pursued music professionally. Most recently, one student was accepted to Harvard and another to the New England Conservatory. These accomplishments mean a great deal to us. At the same time, we are just as proud of the beginners who come in shy or unsure, who grow into expressive and confident musicians through passion and steady dedication.

What truly sets our studio apart is our mission. We believe music should extend beyond practice rooms to become something meaningful and spiritual. Our studio motto is imagine, create, and connect. We want students to imagine the best musical version of themselves, create music with solid fundamentals and disciplined artistry, and connect with audiences in ways that feel genuine and deeply human. Music is more than accuracy. It is communication.

With experience teaching across the country and online, our team brings a diverse and holistic perspective to each lesson. We support students locally in Beverly Hills and throughout the U.S. and abroad through our virtual program. Together, we aim to develop musicians who are technically strong, artistically expressive, and equipped with a lifelong love for music.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I think risk is closely tied to facing your fears, being vulnerable, and adapting to new circumstances. It often means letting go of what is familiar and stepping into the unknown. I’ve never thought of myself as a natural risk taker, but when I look back, many of the most defining decisions in my life were risks I didn’t even realize I was taking.

Pursuing music was a risk. It is not the traditional academic path where a stable salary is guaranteed. Studying at conservatories and being surrounded by incredible musicians required a level of vulnerability that many people never see. You have to believe in yourself even when you are unsure.

Accepting college teaching positions across the country was another risk. Each move meant leaving behind an entire studio, starting over from scratch, and trusting that I could rebuild in a completely different environment. Those transitions pushed me to grow in ways I never expected.

Becoming a mother was also a risk. It reshaped my identity, my schedule, and my priorities. It required humility and strength in equal measure.

Pursuing a second master’s degree at Columbia University’s Teachers College was yet another leap. I temporarily stepped away from the traditional classical performance track to study the art of pedagogy more deeply. It was a shift that felt uncertain at the time, but it ultimately shaped the educator I am today.

To me, risk isn’t about being fearless. It’s about moving forward despite uncertainty. It’s about choosing growth over comfort, and trusting that discomfort often leads to transformation. Every risk I’ve taken—intentional or not—has helped me evolve, both as a musician and as a person. Looking back, I’m grateful for every moment I dared to step into something new.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.rosaleepianostudio.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosaleepianostudio/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Rosa-Lee-Piano-Studio-100088962220215/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@rosalee5162
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/rosa-lee-piano-studio-beverly-hills