Bio
LEE HAYES is a full-time singer, songwriter, 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).
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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.
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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 received a call in 2011 from the agent who handled bookings for Video Games Live, asking her to put a 24-person choir together for their Ottawa show. They had 8 days to learn 10 songs, in several different languages and styles! When Lee asked how she was chosen, the agent said, 'you looked like the most fun'. She did the same 2 years later when the tour returned to Ottawa. That time around they gave her 4 weeks notice...
When Procol Harum came to the Ottawa Bluesfest in 2014, Lee was asked to assemble a group of singers to provide a choral backdrop for the band's repertoire. After the show, Gary Brooker asked Lee for her autograph!
Lee Hayes VOX and ARRANGEMENTS
Lee started a weekly A Cappella community choir in 2004, with over 60 voices strong. The yearly choir concerts raised over $30,000 for the Ottawa Humane Society! Lee's passion for A Cappella turned into over 300 A Cappella arrangements in 3-7 part harmony to date. Many choirs around the world have licensed and performed her arrangements.
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The choir went virtual during the pandemic, and produced over 20 video recordings. Since then the choir has morphed into the monthly Ottawa Choir Bomb.
THE 7-DAY SUN WORKSHOPS
Lee began the 7-day Sun Workshops in 2007, and has since taken a bunch of singers to Cuba, Mexico and the Dominican Republic for a week of singing in the sun! This has become a tradition for many. This year marks the 16th year of singing in Paradise!