Melody Lee’s musical journey began at the age of four, when a violin teacher came recruiting at her church. She was instantly amazed that someone could create beautiful, expressive sounds using a piece of wood and a stick-like object. That spark of curiosity turned into a lifelong love for music. A few years later, her church asked if she could play piano for the children’s ministry, and she has been playing ever since. Along the way, she refined her craft under the mentorship of inspiring teachers, including Dr. WenTing Huang, Manami Kawamura, and Dr. Robert Watson.

But even as Melody’s performance skills flourished, her heart was pulling in a different direction: teaching. She began her teaching career while pursuing a degree in Piano Performance—a path that eventually led her to earn a Master’s in Piano Pedagogy. Over the past decade, Melody has guided students through recitals, exams, and countless hours of practice. At Fried Music, Melody worked with students in the 2025 Summer Intensive Program, and she currently teaches upper level Music Sprouts, music theory, ear training, and private piano. But what she cherishes most is the connection she builds with her students, through conversations about music and life. It’s in those moments, she gets to witness them grow into confident young artists as they discover a creative voice uniquely their own.