Faculty

Biography

Lee Wright joins the University of Rochester as Director of Concert Choir and Chamber Choir, excited to share his work with students and colleagues—contributing to a thriving choral community on campus and throughout Rochester.

In addition to his work at UR, Lee conducts the Treble Choir at Nazareth University, and serves as Director of Music Ministry at Downtown Presbyterian Church, where since 2004, he has led a creative ministry that includes the Arts Link series, fostering collaborations with local artists and expanding access to diverse programming. As a singer, he participates regularly with two local ensembles: the Schola Cantorum of Christ Church, and the professional vocal ensemble, Voices. He is also Founder and Artistic Director of First Inversion, a vocal ensemble that brings together professional and avocational singers from Greater Rochester with the goal of true personal and musical growth for all. Each season, First Inversion presents Holding On through Song, an annual program of American Negro Spirituals that both celebrates and examines the enduring power and relevance of this living tradition.

Lee has taught at Hartwick College, and SUNY Geneseo, and most recently worked with ROCMusic, a tuition-free, El Sistema–inspired program in Rochester, where he taught violin and conducted the Studio Strings Orchestra for students ages 6–17. He has served as conductor for all-county, area all-state, and festival choirs, and presented workshops on the concert spiritual, choral improvisation, and conducting at state and regional conferences. His doctoral research at the Eastman School of Music (DMA in Choral Conducting with a minor in Voice Pedagogy, 2018) focused on the development of the concert spiritual in the late 19th century. He earned a Master of Music in Choral Conducting (Ithaca College, 2011) and a Bachelor of Music in Organ Performance with distinction, and the Sacred Music Diploma (Eastman, 2003). In addition to his teaching and performing work, he has served on the board of the William Warfield Scholarship Fund, overseeing the annual Classical Vocal Competition for African-American high school students and supporting young artists in their musical and educational journeys.

Lee is thrilled to collaborate with the University of Rochester community, giving back to the city he calls home and building bridges through music. He cultivates a deep connection with the outdoors through hiking, biking, kayaking, cross-country skiing, and photography. He also enjoys wheel pottery, and knitting, and can be found doing most of these things in the company of his beloved canine companion, Harry.