Joanna Lee

Joanna Lee

Key Facts

Biography

Described by the Guardian as ‘a considerable talent’, Joanna Lee’s recent commissions include a children’s opera for English National Opera directed by Katie Mitchell, with co-productions by Opéra National de Paris and Royal Swedish Opera. In 2015, she was commissioned by the BBC Proms, for which she composed a piece for Birmingham Contemporary Music Group conducted by Franck Ollu as part of their celebrations to mark Pierre Boulez’s 90th birthday.

Additional projects include a concertante for the Orchestra of the Swan in 2017, a residency at Festival d’Aix-en-Provence in 2016 and a choral piece for Aldeburgh Music Club to celebrate 60 years since their founding by Benjamin Britten. She was BCMG Apprentice Composer-in-Residence for 2012/13, mentored by Oliver Knussen. Other performances of her work include London Symphony Orchestra, EXAUDI, Psappha and CHROMA.

Born in East Suffolk in 1982, Joanna completed a PhD in composition at Birmingham Conservatoire, supervised by Richard Causton and Edwin Roxburgh, and was awarded Honorary Membership by the Conservatoire in 2013 for outstanding achievement. Additional awards include the PRSF Composers’ Fund in 2016, Stephen Oliver Award, John Clementi Collard Fellowship and she was shortlisted for a British Composer Award in 2007.

Current projects include a piece for Nicholas Daniel at the Aldeburgh Festival 2017 and a community opera for Surrey Arts in 2018.

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