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Never too late to pursue your musical dreams, Hong Kong pianist Colleen Lee tells students

Winner of award at International Chopin Piano Competition tells Form Five pupils that hard work pays off, as she recounts journey to international acclaim

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Hong Kong pianist Colleen Lee (centre) spoke to Form Five students at Heung To Secondary School. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Hong Kong students are a long way from living in la-la land. There’s not much room for dreams: just pass the exams and win some awards, then you’ll have more to cram onto the resume, they are often told.

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So Colleen Lee Ka-ling faced a tough challenge when she stood this Wednesday on stage at Heung To Secondary School in Tseung Kwan O, tasked with inspiring her Form Five audience into believing that musical dreams do come true if you just work hard and never give up.

The 36-year-old Lee is a local pianist and the only Hongkonger to have won an award at the prestigious International Chopin Piano Competition, the same event at which Li Yundi made his name back in 2000.

Lee’s sharing session was part of the fourth school tour for the Student of the Year awards, an activity sponsored by the Hong Kong Jockey Club that recognises secondary school students who have excelled in various fields. Lee, a former award winner, is a judge in the Performing Artist category.

Lee started learning the piano when she was four, but only found her passion for it when she was at university.

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“It’s never too late. After all, Vincent van Gogh didn’t start painting until his late 20s. And Leonard Cohen only began exploring the music scene when he was well into his 30s,” Lee said. “Yes, competition is tough, but you have to be bold. You have to step out, explore the world, be different.”

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