However, Lee soon discovered chasing his dream wasn't easy.
"It was difficult with the limited resources [and difficult] to find a teacher to learn from," Lee said.
He had been taking lessons for about three years when he attended a Tauranga masterclass taught by concert cellist and New Zealand School of Music lecturer Inbal Megiddo.
But while Lee describes his Carnegie Hall debut as "quite meaningful", he remembers one smaller concert at a school for children with special needs that made a lasting impact on him.
"They reacted to the music so organically. They danced. They moved. They made their own sounds.
"It reminded me that music is such a powerful tool that it is able to bring so much emotion, healing and joy to people."
"Coming back to New Zealand gave me a chance to hit pause and think of my purpose as a musician.
"I now kind of think that my life is the real instrument."
Lee hopes his next concert will put all he's learned into action.
On July 3 at Trinity Wharf, Lee will come full circle and perform an entire concert as a duo with his former teacher, Inbal Megiddo.
"I hope to give back," Lee said.
"The purpose of this concert is to bring the community together. The music will be able to work as a seed in the audience's heart, a seed that will grow into something meaningful for peoples' lives."
The concert, produced by Lee's new organisation Kingdom Performing Arts, will also include three rapid-fire interviews with under-thanked members of the Tauranga community.
"I want to be able to make it known that music is a precious gift and it's meant to be shared."
If circumstances permit, Lee plans to share music with the city of Los Angeles next.
He's been offered a place in the studio of Ralph Kirshbaum at the University of Southern California. Lee hopes to make it back to the United States to join Kirshbaum in September.
But the homegrown cello prodigy promises he will be back.
"Long term, I feel a calling to New Zealand."
Event details: • What: New Zealand Cello Duo Concert Where: Trinity Wharf 51 Dive Crescent, Tauranga 3110 When: 7.30pm July 3 Tickets available at: Wang Tauranga (7 Christopher Street) or Eventbrite