Justin Lee
Performing and Media Arts
Vancouver, Canada
Why did you choose Cornell?
I chose Cornell because it gave me the flexibility I needed to explore an array of interests and disciplines. Especially in Arts & Sciences, I never felt pigeonholed; it always encouraged me to take classes out of my major.
What is your main extracurricular activity and why is it important to you?
Freshman fall, I joined an all-male a cappella group, Last Call, and to this day, it remains one of my most cherished activities throughout my time at Cornell. Through the group, I have been able to explore my passion for music with a group of people I consider my closest friends.
What Cornell memory do you treasure the most?
The summer after my junior year, my performing and media arts (PMA) cohort and I took an original musical to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival called "The Family Copoli." It was an amazing experience spending my summer at Cornell during the rehearsal process, and traveling abroad to perform for an international audience.
What have you accomplished as a Cornell student that you are most proud of?
My PMA Honors senior thesis is the thing I’m most proud of during my time at Cornell. A more than yearlong process which began junior year, the thesis is my most ambitious artistic undertaking to date, and it really encapsulates the artistic influences and inspirations I have absorbed throughout college.
How have your beliefs or perspectives changed since you first arrived at Cornell?
I feel more confident in my pursuit of the arts. Up until very recently, I felt I needed a backup plan to supplement my artistic endeavors, but since then I’ve realized I don’t really want one. Fulfillment for me comes from my art.
Every year, our faculty nominate graduating Arts & Sciences students to be featured as part of our Extraordinary Journeys series. Read more about the Class of 2026.
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