History of Education

This video was created by Sean Layne, Focus 5 Inc. and sent to me last night. It briefly describes the history of education in the United States and the importance of arts integration within our current approach to schooling. I found the short clip, which will be used by Kennedy Center's Education Department, very touching. Thanks Sean.

Silhouettes of People There

This is an excerpt of a larger work from Dancer/Choreographer Jess Wontropski. We had never met before she emailed me earlier this year requesting permission to choreograph along with some of my music. Jess used a collection of my tracks to score the entire piece and I was really pleased with her new work. Thanks again to all of you who continue to keep my music alive with fresh movement.

Social Climb Part 4

I received this video from Daryl Cooley recently. He choreographed a lovely duet to a piece of my music, "Social Climb Part 4". I wrote the score for "Social Climb" almost 10 years ago for Lisa Race. Ironically, we never ended up using this music in the final version of the dance. I liked the section and decided to hold on to it for the future.

It is a very delightful, and sometimes humbling, experience when a choreographer will choose to create a new work using an old composition of mine. Thanks again Daryl.

A bit of humor...

We all have our bad performances...real or not.

Jake E. Lee


Wynton with strings


And a new one, probably my favorite

Ray Lee

Last weekend I attended a showing by Ray Lee. The entire performance lasted about 45 minutes, a big one chord sheet of sounds. I highly recommend seeing this if it comes near you. Thank you Wexner Center for the Arts for amazing programming.

Induction into the NME

My first performance in the School of Music here at OSU was more like an induction into a Composer's Club. After an amazing performance by Thomas Wells, playing 5 pieces of Henry Cowell for piano, I was wheeled out onto stage where I sat for the entire second half of the concert. David Toamasacci, Tenor and arranger, was greatful for the "disciplined action" (as it is written in John Cage's score of 0'0").