Suzanne Lee has been a member of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Double Bass section since 1985. Suzanne started playing piano at the age of six and took up the double bass at the age of 15 and studied under Tom Howley. She continued to study piano throughout her VCE and on graduating went to the Victoria College of the Arts studying piano and double bass for a year. After leaving the VCA she studied at the Melbourne Conservatorium for several years while working casually for the MSO and Orchestra Victoria.
At 24 she moved to Sydney so she could study with John Gray and joined the ABC Training Orchestra. During this time she also worked with Sydney Symphony and the Australian Chamber Orchestra. In 1985 she won her position with the MSO and moved back to Melbourne where she has lived since.
She is married with one daughter.
Q. What is your favourite piece of music?
Too many to name! Ein Heldenleben, Rite of Spring, Beethoven’s 9Th symphony. A new favourite is Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms.
Q. What’s your fondest MSO memory?
This will be contentious, but it’s the tour with Elton John in 1986, closely followed by the Japan Tour with Mr Iwaki in 1987. There are lots of others but these two are extra special to me.
Q. What is something audiences may not know about you?
I love horses, especially eventing and dressage. My daughter is an eventer. I can’t stand horse racing though!