Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending."
Dedication
This biography is lovingly dedicated to the two pillars of my life—my parents and my beloved wife—whose presence, belief, and love have shaped every step of my journey.
To my parents, who laid the foundation of who I am. You gave me not just life, but purpose. From the very beginning, your unwavering support, tireless sacrifices, and quiet resilience instilled in me the courage to pursue both the academic and artistic paths that would define my story. You encouraged me to play when I was young, to study when I was unsure, and to lead when I hesitated. Every note I’ve played, every student I’ve taught, every role I’ve stepped into—it all began with the lessons I learned from you.
To my wife, my companion in both calm and chaos—you are the rhythm that grounds me and the melody that lifts me. Your love is my anchor. Through late nights, difficult decisions, and dreams that felt too far to reach, you stood beside me with unshakable belief. You never asked me to choose between passion and responsibility—instead, you walked with me as I pursued both. In your love, I have found my greatest peace, and in your partnership, I have found my greatest strength.
This work is a reflection of our shared dreams and your enduring support. Every achievement I’ve earned carries your fingerprint, every challenge I’ve overcome carries your strength.
To those who dare to dream and persevere despite the noise, I hope this story reminds you that you never truly walk alone. Behind every milestone is a quiet, steady love—be it from a parent, a partner, or a belief in something greater.
Phase 1 : From Piano Keys to Big Dreams
“Be not afraid of growing slowly; be afraid only of standing still.”
Zion was born in 1994 in Hong Kong. His life was strongly influenced by a natural love for music and an unwavering desire to succeed. Even as a child, he was set apart by his deep interest in musical expression. The sound of piano music played a central role in his early years, constantly circling his environment and awakening in him a profound devotion to a lifelong musical quest. By the age of eight, Zion had already become a skilled pianist. Unlike many children who learned just a few basic melodies, he dreamed of mastering the instrument. While his initial fascination lay in performance, his love for music deepened with intense theoretical study. He would analyze how pitch and timing shifted ever so slightly, practicing for hours to replicate complex arrangements purely by ear.
Throughout his childhood, Zion’s musical aptitude was impossible to ignore. His many future successes were grounded in this early and consistent perseverance. In 2010, he completed his Grade 8 Piano with Distinction through the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM). Just a year later, he secured the LTCL Performance Diploma with Distinction in Piano—an exceptional achievement that placed him among the top young musicians of his generation. His love for music later expanded to include the violin, which he studied during his college years, eventually achieving a Grade 8 certification from ABRSM in 2016. This broadened his instrumental mastery and enriched his understanding of orchestration and ensemble performance.
Zion’s journey, however, was not without its share of inner conflict. Despite his evident talent, he sometimes struggled with doubt and discouragement. In a society that often prioritized traditional career paths, his musical aspirations were met with skepticism. He wrestled with long hours of academic study and endless rehearsal sessions.
frequently under the judgmental gaze of those who questioned the practicality of a career in music. Yet Zion never wavered. His quiet resilience transformed each setback into a note in the larger composition of his journey. He was not just playing music—he was composing a life of purpose.
By the age of thirteen, Zion was more than a performer; he had become a composer, an arranger, and a mentor to his peers. As his musical skills matured, so did his ambitions. No longer content with merely interpreting music, he dreamed of shaping it—of creating new works, collaborating with artists, and driving innovation in the industry. This vision led him to explore the business side of music, gradually shaping a career that blended creativity with strategic thinking.
Phase 2 : Crafting Identity in Music and Business
“Permit yourself to change your mind when something is no longer working for you.”
As Zion transitioned from adolescence into adulthood, his identity as both a passionate artist and strategic thinker began to solidify. While many of his peers followed linear paths, Zion’s journey was more symphonic—woven with interludes of creativity, ambition, and curiosity across diverse fields. He wasn’t content with simply excelling in music or business. Instead, he aimed to blend both worlds in a way that allowed each to elevate the other.
Between 2016 and 2018, Zion pursued a Master of Business Administration (MBA) at the Hong Kong Metropolitan University. This was more than a standard business degree it was a conscious step towards understanding organizational dynamics, financial modeling, and strategic leadership. For Zion, business was not a departure from music, but rather a way to protect, promote, and expand it. His eyes were set on the broader music industry: record labels, artist development, performance rights, and production companies. He was determined to lead in these spaces with both artistic integrity and entrepreneurial savvy.
Simultaneously, he deepened his academic grounding in music by earning a Postgraduate Diploma in World and Popular Musics (PgDipMUS) from HKU SPACE. This program opened his ears to the global soundscape—Afrobeat, Latin jazz, K-pop, Western classical, and more. Lee approached the course not just as a student, but as a sponge—absorbing every rhythm, scale, and cultural nuance. It was during this time that he became known among his peers and mentors as someone who could not only perform, but contextualize and interpret music on a global scale.
Between 2017 and 2019, Zion’s vision found physical form in the Distinctive Music Academy, a private music school he founded and led as president. Built over 1,500 square feet, with a team of over 10 teachers and more than 80 active students, the school was a bold move in a highly competitive education market. Zion led the creation of its curriculum, marketing strategies, and operations. For him, this was more than a school—it was a living, breathing example of how music and management could coexist to deliver real impact.
Around the same time, he joined a The Open University Of Hong Kong as a teaching assistant, and later as an Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Business and Administration. He delivered tutorials in subjects such as Strategic Human Resources and Organizational Management, bridging the gap between theory and practice. His lectures were known for their clarity, energy, and the unexpected musical references that made business concepts more memorable.
These years were also a time of increasing professional recognition. Lee became a Member of the Composers and Authors Society of Hong Kong (CASH) in 2017 and was later involved in judging singing contests, arranging for youth choirs, and mentoring young composers. In 2018, he achieved a Grade 8 in Musical Theatre with Merit from LAMDA—adding yet another layer to his already versatile skill set.
Phase 3 : Notes of Innovation and Leadership
If there is no struggle, there is no progress.”
Then came Zion’s landing point of significance along his career trajectory—scholarly work and a dynamic position in the business world. It was at this time that he’d begun to create a brand: an innovative thinker embedded in music and a visionary leader entitled with academic credentials. And armed with this dual expertise, he found himself ever more involved in the training, development, and leading of organizations and his work in education and music.
From the years 2019 and 2020 onwards, Zion devoted himself better to furthering his business research and development. His emphasis was on system enhancement of community well-being. He concentrated on meaningful results rather than just output.
Zion also started working as an assistant unit manager at AIA International Limited and conducted more than 40 workshops dedicated to financial issues. He wasn’t simply providing coachings he was creating a culture of continuous learning in the firm. Zion was praised for the intelligibility of his presentations, the practical wisdom they contained, and their motivational character—displaying his business savvy as well as his ability to catch audiences on the spot. His talent was in presenting the complexities of finance in an understandable and persuasive manner to those whom he trained or educated.
Despite managing doctoral coursework along with the career growth process, Zion was always involved in the arts. His side work has grown from strength to strength since he began as a freelance music producer and learning facilitator in 2015. It was his mission during his career of scoring film, stage, and theater pieces to find a balance between marketability and artistic expression. Zion’s knowledge of music theory and technological prowess allowed him to effortlessly integrate into a wide range of genres and a variety of technological contexts. Writing modern pop or assisting in classical compositions, Lee’s work for both always reflected influential cultural awareness and inventive thinking.
From 2021 to 2023, when he attended the University of Chester, he obtained a Master of Arts in Popular Music Industry Management, graduating with distinction and showing remarkable multitasking skills. This feat was a landmark that combined his earlier successes and current education to place him in the maneuvering position of the global music domain. He delved into topics like licensing, branding, artist management, and digital transformation in music, crucial for anyone wanting to shape the future of the music industry.
Meanwhile, the presence of Zion in his corporate context was increasing. In the Asia region of a leading exhibition company, he served as Assistant Learning & Development Manager between July 2022 and August 2023. He managed training initiatives across 13 countries, impacting the development of over 1,700 professionals. His curriculum promoted sales technique enhancements, the use of AI for operational efficiency, financial literacy, and artistic thinking through design thinking methodologies. In a show of commitment to progress, Zion established “IMA Got Talent,” a fun learning initiative that encouraged engagement and creativity through challenges and playful games. This was a novel approach to corporate learning, merging the sensibilities of a performer, a teacher, and a strategist.