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The American choral conductor and organist, Lee Wright, attended Interlochen Arts Camp in Interlochen, Michigan, where he studied piano, organ, violin, and conducting. He graduated with high honors from the Interlochen Arts Academy (Class of 1997), where he studied piano and organ. He obtained his Bachelor of Music degree in Organ Performance with high distinction as well as the Sacred Music Diploma from the Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester (1997-2003) studying with renowned American organist, David Higgs; his Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from Ithaca College (2009-2011), and his Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from the Eastman School of Music (Class of 2018), studying with Dr. William Weinert. His research focuses on the development of the concert spiritual in the late 19th century. His recent conducting mentors have included Lawrence Doebler, Jeffery Meyer, Brian DeMaris, Kenneth Kiesler, and Neil Varon. In 2008, Lee won 1st place in the National Association of Negro Musicians organ scholarship competition.
An active teacher, conductor, church musician, organist, ensemble singer and collaborator, Lee Wright maintains a diverse range of musical activities in the greater Rochester area. He regularly serves as conductor both regionally and nationally for all-county, area all-state, and festival choirs. He served as Artistic Director for the Rochester Gay Men’s Chorus and was a charter member of the Christ Church Schola Cantorum. For four years, he conducted the Rochester-based chamber choir, Madrigalia. He now serves as Director of Music Ministry at Downtown United Presbyterian Church in Rochester (since August 2004), where he oversees a dynamic ministry, including extensive arts offerings through the Downtown Arts Link Concert Series, and events for the Downtown Center. He also maintains a small private piano and organ studio and coordinates collaborative community events. He is Founder & Artistic Director of First Inversion in Rochester, New York (since August 2014). Driven by his deep commitment to community, First Inversion brings together both professional and avocational singers from Greater Rochester with the goal of true personal and musical growth through a focus on selfless and fearless musical expression.
Lee Wright regularly sings with the the professional chamber choirs Sounding Light (Director: Tom Trenney) and Voices Chamber Choir (Director: William Weinert). Recently, he has guest conducted the Catskill Symphony Orchestra and served as Director of Choral Activities at Hartwick College in Oneonta, New York (August 2016-June 2018). He currently lives in Rochester, New York. |
