Shealley Lee is a percussionist, technician, clinician, educator, arranger and composer in Sacramento, Calif. She’s a music arranger for GPG Music and also composes custom published work with Aaron Hines for schools across the country. She also works as a Production Technician for GPG’s Our Virtual Ensemble where she has helped produce hundreds of performances including the NAfME All National Honor Ensembles.
We interviewed Shealley about women in leadership in Performing Arts:
How did you get into composing?
I started composing for marching percussion while in high school. We didn’t have a percussion instructor by my senior year so I took it upon myself to arrange my high school winter percussion shows. I continued to write for them after I graduatIed.
Women comprise the majority of music educators, but in leadership roles such as composing, band directors, etc, women are still below in equitable roles. What do you think we can do to fix this?
I believe in fostering a safe space to grow and thrive. I strive to be a strong mentor for all of my students, but especially so for my high school students. I like to lead by example to show young ladies that women can be in leadership roles. I believe that, if we continue to mentor and encourage them into college programs and independent ensembles, we will help to grow women into leadership roles.
Any mentor you want to highlight?
I have had a myriad of great mentors throughout my life and career. My mom, first and foremost, showed me independence at a young age. As an adult, I can appreciate and admire her strength and poise in the face of adversity. My friend Tracy Magan was the first woman I ever saw lead a group in this activity. She was especially influential because, like me, she is a Filipino woman. She was incredibly supportive and encouraging as I began my teaching career. I have also been lucky in that many of the male mentors throughout my life have encouraged me into leadership roles. Aaron Hines, Brian Swetland, and my husband Jonathan Lee have all encouraged and supported me throughout my career.
What do you think women bring to the Performing Arts?
Women bring an intellectual and understated approach to the music and artistry of this activity. Women are traditionally seen as “soft” and “delicate”, so the fact that we are able to thrive and succeed in a male-dominated activity further strengthens the notion we are as capable of succeeding, albeit not in an always-conventional manner. As we further our influence in the performing arts, the art itself evolves as new perspectives and approaches are gradually introduced.
Personally, for me, there are few Asian American women in leadership roles in this activity. It is important to me that I bring that representation and set an example for other Asian women that aspire to succeed and ultimately guide the activity in future generations, especially now that I have my own daughter.
Shealley is currently the percussion director and arranger at Fairfield High School (2017 NCPA PSO Champions). She joined the staff for Sacramento State Indoor for their inaugural season in 2019 and served as the Front Ensemble coordinator. She’s also worked for Seattle Cascades, Oregon Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps, Elk Grove High School and she was a founding staff member for NorCal Indoor. A proud Percussion Education Artist with Innovative Percussion mallets and sticks, she is also an Etymotic Ear Plug Signature ETY Head Artist and was once featured on the Etymotic Audio File. Check out Shealley’s repertoire here.