BIO

Jean Lee Duong is a Chinese-American versatile singer and professional vocal instructor specializing in teaching beginner to intermediate singers in the styles of pop, operatic pop, Disney, musical theater, and gospel. Hailing from San Luis Obispo, California, for the past ten years Jean Lee has taught over 900+ students internationally as a vocal instructor in South Korea, New York City, California, and currently in Singapore and teaches only online via Zoom.

She received her B.A. in Vocal Performance from Occidental College, graduating magna cum laude with high departmental honors and winning every vocal music award offered by the institution. She performed Mozart’s Exsulate, jubilate with the Occidental-Caltech Symphony Orchestra, Mass in C with the Foothill Master Chorale, Yum Yum in the Mikado, and Cunegonde in Candide.

In 2013, Jean Lee went on to pursue her M.A. in Music Education from Columbia University Teachers College (ranked #1 best education graduate program in the U.S.), where she studied vocal pedagogy and taught pop and operatic pop voice as a graduate instructor. During this time, she studied with vocal pedagogue Richard Lissemore and music educator Dr. Randall Everett Allsup, who profoundly shaped her philosophies on singing with her spirit and discovering her inner musical child.  

Jean Lee has won numerous awards including the National Young Singers Foundation Bev Sellers Memorial Scholarship, Rotary International Billy Watson Memorial Vocal Scholarship, Occidental-Caltech Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition, Yonsei University Singing Competition for Foreigners, and U.S. Fulbright Teaching Assistantship Scholarship in South Korea, where she established ESL-through-Singing programs in a Korean high school, elementary school, and orphanage. 

A worship leader and soloist in numerous multi-cultural churches for over 17 years, Jean Lee’s greatest passion is guiding students to sing with their spirit, regardless of religious background, music style, or musical level. Jean Lee aims to always create a safe environment for musical exploration and expression for all her students to find and develop their genuine inner voice. 

In early 2017, Jean Lee founded the Vocal Experience at Music Makers NY in Manhattan, where she taught voice to rock/pop singers.

In 2018, Jean Lee taught musical theater voice at Centre Stage School of the Arts in Singapore.

In 2019, Jean Lee moved to Edwards Air Force Base in California with her husband, an air force pilot, and coached singers at the Edwards Air Force Base School of Music.

In 2020, Jean Lee started teaching lessons exclusively on Zoom due to Covid-19.

Teaching specialties

Explaining/demonstrating the basics of SOLID vocal technique in a simple, clear way

Creating a positive, encouraging singing experience with honest feedback

Helping students discover their own emotional connection to the lyrics (story-telling)

Technique for hitting high notes without strain

Easy, practical breathing methods 

Professional diction coaching

Performance coaching (confidence building, stage presence, overcoming stage fright)

Singing with your soul and spirit

Rediscovering the joy of music

education

M.A. Music Education/Vocal Pedagogy, Columbia University, Teachers College (2016)

B.A. Vocal Performance, Occidental College (2007)

Korean Language Certificate, Yonsei University Language Institute (2011) 

Scuola Italia Opera Institute, Livorno, Italy (2006, 2007)

Music Awards

1st Place, Yonsei University Korean Song Vocal Competition, South Korea (2012)

U.S. Fulbright Teaching Assistantship in South Korea (ESL through Vocal Music) (2008)

National Young Singers Foundation Bev Sellers Memorial Vocal Scholarship (2007)

Billy Watson Memorial Vocal Scholarship (Rotary International Award) (2006)

Occidental Values and Vocations Grant (funded summer opera program in Italy) (2006)

Occidental-CalTech Symphony Concerto Competition Winner (2005)

Occidental ASP-Richter Research Award (funded summer opera research in Germany) (2005)

Occidental Music Department Lesson Fee Scholarship (2005, 2006, 2007)

Occidental James F. English Award—awarded to one vocal student per year (2004)

Occidental Howard Swan Music Award--awarded to outstanding incoming students (2003)

TEACHING expErience

Vocal Coach, Jean Lee Duong’s Vocal Studio (Singapore, Zoom) (2018 - Present)

Vocal Instructor, Edwards Air Force Base Music School (Edwards AFB, California) (2019)

Vocal Instructor, Centre Stage School of the Arts (Singapore) (2018)

Vocal Instructor, Music Makers NY (New York) (2017)

Graduate Vocal Instructor, Columbia University Teacher College (New York) (2014 - 2016)

Choir/Private Vocals Student Teacher, Urban Assembly for the Performing Arts (New York) (2016)

General Music Student Teacher, Bank Street School of Education (New York) (2015)

Choir Conducting Assistant, Every Voice Children's Choir (New York) (2013)

ESL-Through-Music Teacher, Hanil Boys Boarding High School (South Korea) (2008-2009)

*Partial List. CV available by request. 

languages

English (Teaching, Singing) 

Korean (Teaching, Singing)

Mandarin Chinese (Teaching, Singing) 

Italian (Singing)

German (Singing) 

Additional SKILLS 

Choral Conducting (pop, gospel, classical)

Leading Vocal Workshops (Excellent with Small or Large Groups)

Speech Coaching for CEOs, business professionals (improving voice tone, diction, lessening accents) 

Acting (3 years at Occidental Theater, Alexander Technique for Movement) 

Dance (10 years of ballet, basic yoga) 

Intermediate Piano Accompaniment 

Cultural Exposure: Lived outside of the US for 13 years (Germany, Italy, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore), travelled in 20+ countries (Able to connect well with people of various cultures and backgrounds)