My name is Claire Lee and I’m from San Jose, California. I started playing the flute in fifth grade, when “band” was just a handful of kids that met after school in the cafeteria. Playing an E natural was my biggest obstacle then! As a middle schooler, I joined a bigger band and appreciated the community it brought, but lost interest because I felt intimidated by the misconception that only talented and regimented people could become better at music. Only in my sophomore year of high school did I start lessons again with a new flute teacher, Rebecca Park. She helped me enjoy playing my instrument and encouraged me to record this piece, Fantaisie by Georges Hüe.
Watch Claire Lee perform Fantasie by Georges Hue on the flute for the 2025 Spring Music Competition as part of the Charleston International Music Competition.