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Conspirare Symphonic Choir soprano Stella Lee is also a choral conducting student at Texas State University. We spoke with her about her musical journey and experience studying with GRAMMY® Award-winning conductor Craig Hella Johnson.
Q: Tell us about your musical background and what led you to choral conducting.
A: I began singing in church choirs when I was young and occasionally played piano for choirs. About six years ago, I became a regular choir member. Now I'm pursuing choral conducting at Texas State University, and I hope to continue with doctoral studies afterward. When I was in Korea, Craig was well-known among conductors. I knew about his GRAMMY® Award with Conspirare, which is why I wanted to learn from him.
Q: What makes studying with Craig Hella Johnson unique compared to other teachers?
A: I remember the very first conducting lesson. He had all of us on the floor holding stones in our hands and asked us to reflect on where they came from and how long they had existed. At first, I was puzzled, but by the end of the lesson, I understood why. He doesn't just teach conducting techniques to help us interpret what's written in the score—he challenges us to think beyond that.
Q: How has his teaching approach influenced your development as a conductor?
A: Before we start each lesson, we always have time to share our experiences and thoughts about the music. He's really good at teaching because every student has their challenges, but he explains and encourages each of us individually, even in a group setting. He encourages us to reflect on our role as musicians in today's world and the impact we can have through music—how we can send a message through each piece we conduct. Through his guidance, I'm discovering not just how to lead a choir, but how to create meaningful musical experiences.
Hear Stella and the entire Symphonic Choir this May:
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