Monica Lee

aka Teacher Monica

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OWNER, CURRICULUM DEVELOPER AND MUSIC INSTRUCTOR

VANCOUVER

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Vancouver musician, mother, curious musicologist and advocate of flavour Monica Lee is passionate about living her best life. Her top-shelf priorities are good food, great music, loving and supporting her family, and being a part of a greater, vibrant community. Owner of the Vancouver branch of Jump Into Music since 2015, Monica focuses on sharing her talents with local families during the precious first years of life. 

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Aptly named by her students, Teacher Monica's philosophy is grounded in the "play" of playing music and uses this as a starting point for all learning and exploring. Digging into the story behind the song, what makes genres unique and the cultural significance of traditions, Teacher Monica offers 'Musicology for Families' through movement and instrument song study, voice exploration and storytelling. 

 

Monica's musical journey has taken her from the Viola section in the orchestra to a diploma in Contemporary Voice from Vancouver Community College, to singing Jazz with a Big Band, touring with Hip Hop artists and poets, and writing and performing her original songs for adult and kid audiences. She has scored a documentary, had her music included in an award-winning web series, performed her music at the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, Breakout West Festival, Music West, Live Streaming at the Bolt and had her latest record reviewed and featured on CBC Radio locally and played nationally on the Sunday Edition. 

 

Primarily a roots artist, Monica has released Three full-length albums, an EP and two singles. Her first children's album, You, Me and the Moon, was released on May 24th, 2023. The record has a smooth, gentle vibe. With songs like "Swing Swing Swing," "I've got a Potty on my Bus," and her lullaby "Goodnight My Love," this record hopes to help with many of the most challenging phases of parenthood.  

 

The late John Mann of Spirit of the West once compared Monica Lee to Joni Mitchell, and it's easy to agree, noting her ability to balance confessional subject matter with vivid observations of everyday life. Lee's music is both beautiful, soul-stirring and then sometimes silly. 

 

Monica's passion for music is palpable, whether with her students or on stage to a broader audience. Teacher Monica has limitless enthusiasm for sharing her joy of "Do re mi," helping bring music into the daily lives of the children and families she works with.