One Musician, Many Paths: A Music Education Alum’s Multifaceted Career

Seattle native Carlin Lee (BM ’21, Jazz Studies; MM ’24, Music Education) had a two-fold plan when he embarked on his academic career: become an accomplished jazz piano performer as well as an exceptional teacher. That vision led him to NYU Steinhardt’s dual degree in the Music Education program, which allowed him to pursue both goals in an integrated five-year pathway.

“Teaching was never a backup plan for me—I genuinely thought both career paths were really incredible worlds that I wanted to be a part of,” says Lee, who also composes for big band, string orchestra, and wind ensembles. “When I found NYU Steinhardt’s dual degree program, it was literally exactly what I wanted to do.”

Steinhardt’s program was such a good fit for Lee in part because of its ability to immerse students in multiple musical communities at once. Music Education is part of the Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions (MPAP), which houses interconnected programs in performance, music composition and technology, music business, arts administration, and more.

“I had access to students and faculty who were deeply invested in pedagogy and music education, while also spending my nights playing jazz with students whose focus was becoming great performers," says Lee. “Both things are deeply important to me, and so rather than choosing between performance and education, I was given the space to pursue both. I believe that is one of MPAP’s greatest strengths.”

Opportunities for the Motivated

Moreover, Lee discovered that Steinhardt’s overall environment encouraged curiosity and initiative. With access to state-of-the-art facilities and faculty support, he was able to pursue ambitious projects that extended well beyond his coursework. 

While still a student, Lee organized recording sessions in NYU Steinhardt’s Dolan Recording Studio to create professional submissions for national competitions. Those recordings helped his jazz ensemble earn a two-week residency in Aspen, Colorado, and later secure a performance at the Detroit Jazz Festival alongside internationally recognized artists. 

Those experiences proved invaluable when Lee secured his first full-time position before even graduating as a band director at Trevor Day School in Manhattan—in part thanks to a glowing recommendation letter written by one of his Steinhardt professors on his behalf. 

During this time, Lee also composed a commission from New Jersey’s Eastern Wind Symphony called Our Heart, which premiered at Princeton University in 2024.

“My jazz quintet was invited to Princeton to perform in one of their concert halls along with a professional wind orchestra,” says Lee. “That commission was probably the most full-circle moment in my career so far, because I was touching on the education side as a band director, I was performing professionally and at a very high level, and I was the composer of the piece. That was a real career highlight for me.”

A Multifaceted Career of His Own Making

Today, Lee’s career continues to reflect the interdisciplinary foundation he built at Steinhardt. Now the full-time church music director for Redeemer Brooklyn, he continues to perform professionally as a jazz pianist, host educational clinics for music students, and compose original works for performances around the world, including a recent chamber orchestra piece for a jewelry brand’s private event in Hong Kong. 

For Lee, NYU Steinhardt did more than prepare him for a job; it equipped him with the versatility to build a career on his own terms, drawing on the communication, leadership, and problem-solving abilities he cultivated through a robust education.

“Being a music educator doesn't just mean teaching in a classroom,” Lee says. “You're always teaching. Whether you're leading a rehearsal, working with private students, or communicating your musical ideas, those skills translate into every part of a career in music.”