LEE HAYES is a full-time voice teacher, A Cappella choral arranger, and choir director based in Vancouver, Canada, and who works in both Vancouver and Ottawa, Canada.

 

AS A PERFORMER, Lee has toured Canada, the US and the UK, and has appeared on several international radio and television shows (CBC, CTV, CJOH, The A Channel, BBC, ABC, WTN).

 

THE BEGINNING

Back in '93, Lee was just starting out as a singer/songwriter in the Ottawa area, playing shows at Rasputin's, the GCTC, and the Stone Angel.  Lee became known for her humorous anecdotal stage banter, passionate piano-based songwriting, and for sold-out shows.  Lee quickly gained a reputation for excellence when she became a winner of the Songs From The Heart SOCAN/OCFF songwriting contest in 1995.

 

MALAIKA (1994-2006)

Malaika, a 4-woman A Cappella group, became an internationally renowned World Beat group, known for their unusual arrangements and diverse array of songs in many languages.  Malaika produced a total of 4 cd recordings, one music video, and performed hundreds of concerts over 12 years.  This is how Lee’s obsession with

A Cappella harmony singing and arranging began.

 

THE SECRET LIFE (2002)

Lee released the acclaimed solo CD 'The Secret Life' in 2002, which included the song 'I Should Have Been David Duchovny's Bride'.  The song was posted on several Duchovny fan sites and was turned into a tribute video on YouTube, gaining fans from all over the globe.  It was then discovered by the television network Showtime, and was licensed to promote David Duchovny's television series 'Californication'.

 

CANTARRA (2007-2011)

After Malaika disbanded in 2006, Lee's obsession with A Cappella continued; she created the A Cappella/Percussion group Cantarra, based on the compelling blueprint of 4 women, 4 voices, but this time with an abundance of percussion.  Cantarra received a nomination from the Canadian Folk Music Awards for Best Vocal Group of the Year 2009.

 

VIDEO GAMES LIVE and PROCOL HARUM

Lee has performed with these world tours, putting a choir together for their shows in Ottawa. Gary Brooker asked Lee for her autograph!

 

Lee has over 250 A Cappella arrangements in 3-7 part harmony to date.  Many choirs around the world have licensed and performed her arrangements.