Society of Peabody Alumni
Citation for the Johns Hopkins University Alumni Association Knowledge for the World Award
Presented to
Peter Lee
October 15, 2011
The Knowledge for the World Award is a new award, given to individuals who exemplify the Johns Hopkins tradition of excellence and have brought credit to the University and their profession in the international arena.
Peter Lee, you resoundingly meet these criteria. You are an outstanding singer who has achieved acclaim the world over and you champion Peabody in your home country.
From Tainan, Taiwan, you travelled to the United States to begin your Bachelor’s of Music studies at Peabody in 2002, in the studio of William Sharp. In 2008 you received two Master of Music degrees, in Voice and Early Music, while studying with Stanley Cornett.
After graduating, you recorded several CDs and sang both tenor and countertenor roles in Maryland, Pennsylvania, California, Washington D.C. and in Canada, Japan and Taiwan. Tim Smith, of the Baltimore Sun, has praised your “rich vocalism.”
In the summer of 2009 you were awarded first place in two categories of Taiwan’s prestigious Golden Melody Award, presented by the Taiwanese government as an equivalent to the American Grammy Award. The Golden Melody committee recognized you as best vocalist and presented you with the award for best religious album of the year. Your album, Stabat Mater, presents the works of Pergolesi and Vivaldi with Peabody faculty member and soprano, Ah-Hong.
In addition to winning awards, you currently teach at Shenandoah University, where you are pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree.
Peter, you have received international praise for your musical accomplishments and keen talent, but I must also thank you for your dedication to expanding Peabody’s reputation and visibility overseas.
In 2009 you arranged a tour around Taiwan for Peabody faculty members to perform recitals, give master classes and recruit students. Your connections and skill as a translator were so impressive, and the tour so successful, that you repeated the trip in 2010 with faculty members, student and alumni from the Early Music Department. Your efforts have been instrumental in connecting Peabody with the music community in Taiwan.
Peter Lee, you have achieved so much in such a short period of time, and we are privileged to watch your career flourish. The Peabody Chapter of the Johns Hopkins University Alumni Association is honored to present you with the Knowledge for the World Award.