Donald Lee III

@hiresteez Hey y'all. I'm a classical pianist! I'm currently based in Kentucky, teach at an HBCU, and perform in both the classical and gospel genres. Would love to expand that though!

I officially left San Francisco today. It was a good 9 months. Almost landed in Chicago- ready to start rehearsals for She Who Dared, a new opera with a cast of all Black women, written by my friends Jasmine Barnes and Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton!

Why do rideshare drivers accept rides to the airport when their trunk is full of junk?

Yep- I’m still a major procrastinator with regard to packing and moving. I have to be in a Lyft to the airport at 3am on Monday, and my place looks the same way it’s looked since I got settled in 😅

And I put on a little muscle.

My hair got pretty long 🙈

I conduct much more than I play piano these days.

Hey, so life updates: - I finished the young artist program at Lyric Opera of Chicago last year. -I moved to San Francisco to further my conducting study with Edwin Outwater for a year. -I’m leaving Monday. -I’m living my best, freelancer life now.

I really hope I can build the career I want in this country, but I’m also preparing myself to move to Germany if need be. There’s so much uncertainty with all of this, and I’m the type of person who had a five year plan at age 10 😂😬😩

I get to watch an opera today with my best friend WHO LIT THE OPERA! @ciabattaAsiago from High school to living down the street from each other in grad school, to working in the performing arts and colliding worlds all over again- can’t wait to see you!!!! 💙

Forgot my sunscreen 🤡

@NatalieBrender Ooo, I’ll have to give this a close listen tonight!

Listening to Pavarotti sing Liszt’s Benedetto sia’l giorno, and he floats this A natural as light as a feather, then hooks in to a full bodied, squillo rich sound. I had to let out a good laugh on the train platform when I heard it, because what even 😂😂😂

Just heard Lawrence Brownlee sing side by side with my friends Lunga Hallam and Kathryn Henry, all supported by Craig Terry at the piano. I’m awestruck. They all made it look so effortless 🥹

@karahuberpiano Thank you, Kara!!

Go Donald! 👏 @Locs_n_Keys

The fact that the first music I made today was Tanzlied with a stunning baritone colleague of mine is just… perfect. It really set the tone for the whole day. I feel like I’ve been floating through time since 😄

@mikiplayspiano @philorch That’s an exciting development!! 🤩

Started diving into the Florence Price Piano Concerto yesterday, and I just want to know who is working on critical editions for her music? Also can we get the concerto published with a piano reduction? I’m grateful to have the printed solo part, but I have questions.

Just had my first full checkup in literally over a decade 😬 My white coat syndrome is almost gone, but I still was not ready for them to take 4 vials of blood ! Whew…

@DrSamanthaEge @whats_opera_doc Argh- that’s so frustrating! At least one can peruse the full score online.