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BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan – Spc. Anne Lee said she's not sure
when the first time was that she fell in
love with the piano.
From her earliest memories, Lee said she'd stare at her church
pianist during Sunday services, and wondered what it took to make
that kind of music.
“I think I was about 5-years-old or so
and I was fascinated by the music she played,” she said. “Every
chance I'd get, I'd sneak over after service to sit with her and tap
on the keys. Soon afterwards, I started taking
piano lessons.”
Today, she's
not only an Automated Logistics Specialist serving here as part of
the 1st Armored Division's Resolute Support Sustainment Brigade, but
is an accomplished classical pianist who's performed
concerts around the world...including New York City's Carnegie Hall.
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U.S. Army Spc. Anne Lee, an Automated Logistics Specialist and
accomplished classical pianist, plays the piano during an event at
Bagram Air Field's Jirga Center, November 12, 2015. From her
earliest memories, Lee said she'd stare at her church pianist during
Sunday services, and wondered what it took to make that kind of
music. (U.S. Army photo by Kevin Walston, USFOR-A Public Affairs)
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The daughter of Protestant missionaries, Lee was born Yi
Pyung-An in Hwajung, South Korea and immigrated to Los
Angeles at about age 18. Soon, she was given the opportunity
to play piano
during her father's church service and it's during this time
that she met Chung Chang-mi, who'd later become her mentor
and biggest inspiration for
the talents she displays today on the keyboard.
“She
was the first one who said she thought I had perfect pitch
on the keyboard,” Lee said. “At that time, I was playing
piano during Sunday services
at our church and after service one Sunday, she asked my
parents if I could come to her studio and take lessons from
her.”
Chung was already an accomplished classical
pianist when Lee met her. She'd come to Los Angeles from New
York City to host some piano
recitals. Chung had already trained countless pianists, and
by chance, happened to attend Lee's church and heard the way
she played, Lee said.
“She invited me to come to New
York with her and continue my training,” Lee said. “It was
such a great opportunity, but at that time, my family
couldn't afford
for me to move away so I
couldn't go with her.”
Chung remained in Los Angeles
for several months teaching,
and Lee continued taking lessons from her and learning as
much as she could. Lee remembered that she was like a
sponge, clinging to Chung's every move as her fingers
floated across the keys. It's during this time that Lee
credits Chung with opening a totally new world of music to
her, and intensifying her love
for an instrument that she
said has become a huge part of who she is. When Chung left
Los Angeles to return to New York, she gave Lee a baby grand
piano so that she could
continue to perfect her talents.
Lee continued to
practice her craft and at 19, enrolled in Pepperdine
University. After becoming a member of the university choir,
she was soon promoted to the position of lead classical
pianist.
“When I first met the choir director, I
remembered him asking me ‘Where have you been because I've
never heard anyone so young playing like that before!”
she remembered. “That opened yet another door
for me because before
I knew it, I was the music director and then he hired me to
be the lead accompanist for
the university's master choir. He really believed in me and
gave me so much confidence, even when I was second-guessing
myself.”
Soon, Lee was touring with the university
choir across the United States and Europe, and remembers
some special moments during mission trips to Turkey and
Bulgaria that changed her life.
“I met so many
children during those trips that were super talented, yet
because of economics, never had the chance to explore their
talents,” Lee said. “That's when I decided that I wanted a
more meaningful career than just playing music and at about
age 30, I met some Korean War vets who really inspired me.”
Lee said it was during those times with the vets who'd
sacrificed so much that she wanted to honor them by becoming
a part of something bigger. Had it not been
for their sacrifices years
ago, she felt she'd never have had the opportunity to
immigrate to the United States.
So, on Aug. 6, 2012,
she joined the Army and is now serving on her second
deployment to Afghanistan.
“Having a chance to play
the piano
for people and have them enjoy
it is a part of my religious testimony,” Lee, who currently
serves as the lead pianist for
Bagram's Enduring Faith Chapel's Protestant Service said.
“It's just what God has blessed me with and where he's
leading me as part of his plan. It's all a part of being
something bigger than I am.”
By U.S. Army Kevin Walston
USFOR-A Public Affairs
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2016
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