Lauren Lee

Jazz vocalist Lauren Lee is a new BSM faculty member who grew up near St. Louis, Missouri and now makes NYC her home. A graduate of NYU, Lauren started singing at the age of 12 when she was in chorus. In her own words: “I always loved singing when I was a kid and loved great singers like Julie Andrews, Cass Elliot, Whitney Houston, and Mariah Carey”.

Lauren’s favorite music to perform is jazz written after 1960. She enjoys modern jazz and mixing it with other genres and styles as well as music from different parts of the world including South America and the Middle East. Her favorite composers include John Coltrane, J.S. Bach, Philip Glass, Hermeto Pascoal, Chick Corea, and Igor Stravinsky.

As a teacher she encourages independence and a desire to learn. “My approach to teaching is simple: I teach musicians how to teach themselves. My laid-back style encourages curiosity and students learning how to continue to grow, seeking more knowledge, and trying things in new ways in places beyond my classroom”. In addition to teaching adult singers, Lauren also teaches children. “The lessons include basic vocal etiquette, learning basic musicianship, ear training and theory, and playing games to help instill musical skills”.

Lauren is currently on the faculty of the New York Jazz Workshop and is a teaching artist for Third Street Settlement and for Music Wizards. She has also served as co-conductor of The Young People’s Chorus of New York City.

When Lauren is not performing or teaching, she enjoys running, traveling, shopping, and spending time with animals.

B.M. Webster University
M.M. New York University