Debbie Lee Silao is a classically-trained and versatile cellist based in Chino Hills, California. She began her cello journey at a young age and holds a Master’s degree in Music with a concentration in Cello Performance, under the mentorship of Professor Joon Sung Jun.

As a soloist, Lee Silao has garnered numerous first-place awards in prestigious competitions, including the American String Teachers Association, Southwestern Youth Music Festival, Bach Complete Works Competition, and CMC Music Competition. Throughout her career, she has participated in masterclasses with esteemed artists such as Robert DeMaine, Andrew Shulman, Joel Kroesnick, Dennis Karmazyn, the Lark Quartet, the Argus Quartet, and David Garrett.

In the orchestral domain, Lee Silao has been a member of the Orchestra Da Camera at the Colburn School of Arts. She has served as both principal and assistant principal for the Bob Cole Symphony Orchestra under Johannes Muller-Stosch and has also played with the Young Artists Symphony Orchestra under Alexander Treger.

With over a decade of teaching experience, Lee Silao has instructed more than 50 students, many of whom have pursued degrees in cello performance at institutions such as Azusa Pacific University. Her students have achieved notable successes, including securing principal and assistant principal positions in their orchestras. Her students consistently compete and achieve top placements in prestigious events such as the Satori Competition. Beyond her private studio, she has coached cello sectionals and led her students to perform at Carnegie Hall in 2019 while at East Whittier Middle School. Recognized in the Los Angeles and Orange County school districts, Lee Silao has coached at Tesoro High School, Laguna Hills High School, Woodrow Wilson High School, PolyTech High School. In 2024, she served as the cello faculty for the CSSSA program at CalArts.

Additionally, Lee Silao has made significant contributions to the music industry, recording and performing with artists like the reggae band Tribal Seeds and contributing to soundtracks for independent films such as Meadowland. She has also performed with Jessica Betts and has been featured on SBS, performing for Asiana Airlines.

Debbie Lee Silao currently performs on a 2017 Klaus Ludwig Clement cello.