Jae Lee

Korean American composer, keyboardist, and educator Jae Lee was born in Seoul, South Korea. He is based in New York City where he serves on the faculty of Juilliard Pre-College and Extension teaching Music Theory and Advanced Orchestration. Lee’s compositions have been performed and commissioned by numerous ensembles including “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Chamber Singers, and Cathedral Choir of St. John the Divine. His accolades include awards from American Prize in Composition, National Association for Music Education, and ASCAP Morton Gould Awards. He has performed in Carnegie Hall (Stern Auditorium) as well as the Fox Theatre in Atlanta. His music has been performed in leading concert venues around the country including The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. His big band arrangement was also featured on CNN’s The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer.  

Lee is currently Music Director and Organist of The Episcopal Church of St. Matthew and St. Timothy on the Upper West Side where he accompanies Anglican services in English and Spanish and conducts its professional choir. As a seasoned church musician, he has led services in The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, Union Theological Seminary, and St. Thomas Church in New York City, among others. 

Graduating with academic honors, Lee received his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in the Accelerated Program from The Juilliard School where he studied composition with Christopher Rouse.