Lee Allen walks out of his studio for a rehearsal at the Tianjin Juilliard School in Tianjin, north China, Sept. 15, 2026.
Lee Allen, a U.S. trombonist, joined the Tianjin Juilliard School as one of its first resident faculty members in 2019.
In 2017, while still teaching in the U.S. state of Ohio, Allen led five students on a month-long tour across China, covering 17 cities and staging 19 concerts. This immersive experience gave him deep insight into China's thriving artistic landscape. He noted that the abundance of opportunities, strong institutional support for the arts, and Tianjin's livable urban environment convinced him to build his long-term career here.
Over the years, Allen has dedicated himself to nurturing young musical talent, with generations of his students going on to perform on leading international stages. His two children were both born and raised in Tianjin, making the city a true family home.
This year, the Tianjin Juilliard School formed its first all-faculty brass quintet, a rare opportunity that allows Allen to perform alongside his peers and deepen his artistic practice.
For Allen, music bridges different civilizations, and the Tianjin Juilliard School is a dynamic platform for exchange between Chinese and U.S. arts education. "Teaching is a two-way journey of growth," he said. "While I guide my students, they also teach me every day." (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)
Lee Allen (2nd R) plays the trombone in a brass quintet performance at the Tianjin Juilliard School in Tianjin, north China, Sept. 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)
Lee Allen (C) communicates with his colleagues in rehearsal at the Tianjin Juilliard School in Tianjin, north China, Sept. 15, 2026. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)
This photo taken on Sept. 15, 2026 shows a photo of Lee Allen's child hanging on the wall of his studio at the Tianjin Juilliard School in Tianjin, north China. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)
This undated file photo shows Lee Allen (L) teaching a student at the Tianjin Juilliard School in Tianjin, north China. (Xinhua)
This undated file photo shows Lee Allen (R) playing the trombone at the Tianjin Juilliard School in Tianjin, north China. (Xinhua)
Members of an all-faculty brass quintet rehearse at the Tianjin Juilliard School in Tianjin, north China, Sept. 15, 2026. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)
Lee Allen plays the trombone in a brass quintet performance at the Tianjin Juilliard School in Tianjin, north China, Sept. 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)
