Raya Lee - Author and Musicologist
Raya Lee last appeared with the Lake Placid Sinfonietta in 2010. Her in depth knowlege of music history allows her to create fascinating stories which bring the life and times of noted composers to life. Vivaldi, who spent his career as the Music Director of one of the many orphanages in 18th cenutry Venice, is one of those much loved composers with a back-story unlike any others.
Historian Raya Lee served for many years as principal Music Librarian for the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library. She currently works as instructor and reference librarian at Medaille College as well as Speaker for the New York Council for the Humanities covering diverse historical and cultural topics. Raya has also authored two books, Pan-American Exposition: a Bird's-Eye View of Sights & Sounds, and Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra: The First 75 Years, with co-author Edward Yadzinski.
As a concert narrator, Ms. Lee has appeared frequently with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and with various community orchestras across New York State, including the orchestras at Binghamton, Ithaca and Lake Placid. Community work includes initiation of the Performing Archive of the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus, and membership on the Education Committee of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Advisory Board for the School of Music at the State University College at Fredonia.