Raya Lee

E-mail: rayalee314@gmail.com

           

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Library Manager/Department Head with 35 years of reference librarianship

      Lecturer/Storyteller/Author - 15 years of programming in libraries, schools,
        retirement homes, adult education, historical societies, theaters and concert halls.

      

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

  • Buffalo & Erie County Public Library    1974 – 2006

  • Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra-Music Library     1976 – 1979

 

ACADEMIC TRAINING

  • MLS, University at Buffalo, Department of Infomatics, 1977
  • AB for Music with piano major, vocal minor at SUNY at Fredonia, 1972

 

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

  • BECPL Librarian’s Association, 1974 - present; VP1991, President 1992
  • Music Librarian’s Association, 1984 - present
  • Society for Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators, 1992 - present
  • Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Education Committee, 1999 - present
  • Advisory Board, NETO (Native American Arts & Culture), 2008-present
  • New York Council for the Humanities, Speaker, 2009-present
  • Western New York Chorale, alto, Herb Tinney, Conductor – 2009-present

 

AWARDS

  • Commendation from the City of Buffalo Common Council for accomplishments
    and service in the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library, December 12, 2006

 

 

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS/PRESENTATIONS

 

Pan-American Exposition:

  • Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra – 6 Youth Concerts, March 2001 – writer/narrator – “Harmonies Along the Esplanade”, Andrew Bisantz, conductor
  • Pan-American Exposition-A Bird’s-Eye View of Sights & Sounds, 36 page book with accompanying CD – September 2001
  • “Music at the Pan-American Exposition” – Exhibit at BECPL – August/September 2001
  • Buffalo & Erie County Historical Society – lecture “Music at the PAE” – July 2001
  • University at Albany – “Researching New York State Conference” – lecture “Music at the PAE” with recorded music and Powerpoint presentation - November 2002
  • Skidmore College – MLA, annual WNY/Ontario Chapter meeting – lecture “Music at the PAE”, with recorded music and Powerpoint presentation - October 2003

Mozart:

  • Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra – Pops Concert – writer & narrator, “The Magic of Mozart”, Ron Spigelman, conductor - January 2002
  • “Mozart, the man and his music” – several lectures including Fundraiser for BPO at the Park Country Club April 21, 2005, accompanied by John Landis, WNED radio

Opera:

  • “Heart Songs”- Mar 2003 and “Divas” – Mar 2004 – writer/narrator, Ars Nova Musicians Chamber Orchestra, Marylouise Nanna, conductor – Lancaster Opera House

Children’s stories:

  • “Pearl of the World”, author – over 200 performances in Buffalo and throughout New York State by Theatre Figuren, Michelle Costa – 1996-present
  • “Dora’s Dream”, narrator – 3 Youth Concerts - Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Ron Spigelman, conductor, May 2002
  • “Tubby the Tuba”, narrator – 2 Youth Concerts - Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Ron Spigelman, conductor, May 2003
  • “Erie Canal”, author, narrator – 8 Youth Concerts – Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Ron Spigelman, conductor, Feb/March 2004; and Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, Ron Spigelman, Conductor, Feb 2005
  • “Fiddler Crabs” – A Children’s Story for Orchestra & Narrator – World Premier sponsored by The Claudette Sorel Foundation – 5 Family Concerts – Binghamton Community Orchestra, April 2009; Ithaca Community Orchestra, May 2009, Cayenna Ponchione, Conductor

 

Music Mirrors History:

  • “History of Music in Buffalo, 1832-1965” – July 2005, Rome, Italy
  • “Italian/American Influence of Music in Buffalo, 1880-2005” – Nov 2005, Los Angeles, CA
  • “History of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra” – March 2006,
            Erie County Home & Infirmary – with Suzanne Thomas, harp and Betsy Reeds, flute