Meet Jarrod Lee

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jarrod Lee. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jarrod, thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?

I almost don’t know how to answer. I am optimistic because I choose to be hopeful. I choose to have hope because a little hope has shown me great experiences that I define as “good.” I choose to be hopeful because I know my contribution in any collaboration is gonna help someone realize their goal and dream along their trajectory. I choose to have hope even when there is no evidence that would rationally support a free feeling of hope. If I lose hope, I bet against myself. If I let hope go, I let my dreams and goals fade away. I cut them off before they have an opportunity to manifest or change and evolve into different and/or bigger realities beyond my dreams. I am a product of hoping and moving and shaking trees and hoping. I plan for the worst. I feel all the feels and experience what happens then reflect and ask what I learned because I’m folding in those new ideas and lessons learned in hopes that the next experience will be better than the last experience. I choose hope because at times I feel like that’s all I have. I’m optimistic about things because I choose to be hopeful and I hope others choose to be hopeful.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m a librettist, opera singer, a performing arts consultant, and a connector. I love asking questions and helping others by learning from my own experiences. I’m from Sylacauga, Alabama and presently I reside in Baltimore, Maryland. I love the opportunity to tell stories as a writer and singer. I’m grateful to have worked on collaborations including Oshun and Two Corners with composer B.E. Boykin, Voices of Zion and the art song See your Equal with composer Ronald “Trey” Walton and collaborations with composer Timothy Amukele called Journey to You and a community opera called Spirit Moves. I have the honor of listing the Alliance for New Music Theater, IN Series, Finger Lakes Opera, and the Washington National Opera as companies who have trusted my storytelling and in the past supported me with a commission. In concert with writing and performing, I’m the Education Associate for Maryland Opera, I serve on the board of Baltimore Musicales, I volunteer as the Director of Project Managers with the Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts (CAAPA) and I still get bored. lol. I know a lot of my language, or how I write dialogue and think of storytelling is highly influenced by my family and friends. I’m hoping that my contributions as a storyteller will add more options for opera companies to produce. I have a lot of ideas and I want to write stories for film, tv, plays and musical theater. The best time for me to write has been late at night after everything gets a little more quiet. I believe that is when I can hear the characters talk and I gladly write what they say. I believe in the work I’m doing and I hope my work makes folks question their level of empathy.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Most impactful qualities that continue to serve me: 1. Curiosity
2. Hope mixed with ambition and planning when possible
3. Shaking trees. A term I use to describe a plan of action rooted in my definition of success and what I want in this life.

For me, it is helpful to identify what I want and how I was planning to get it while being flexible if my plan didn’t pan out. I decided to take on some of the lessons learned in my grad school days with the Maryland Opera Studio and cultivating how I was going to approach a character. The process was introduced to me by a friend and mentor, Leon Major, in our studio classes. He would ask a few questions like “What do I want? What is my obstacle? How am I gonna get around the obstacle?”….and from there, my questions continued until the end of the opera. This is how I’m approaching my writing. This is how I’m presently approaching my career(s). With great hope.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
I’m still defining that word. It really depends on the individual. As I explore that definition, I have to really thank my family (related & chosen), friends, and my therapist. I think without them, I might not have a footing or a root to return to in between the ups and downs.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Headshot: photographer Robert Mercer, Jr Second Photo: Cast of Oshun/From left to right: Nicole Cloutier, Christian Isaiah Simmons (bass), Jarrod Lee (Librettist), Evan Rogister (conductor), B.E. Boykin (composer), Katerina Burton (soprano), Daniel J. Smith (baritone), and Anthony Ballard (tenor) Third Photo: Cast of Spirit Moves/From left to right: Jihanna Davis (mezzo soprano), Daniel J. Smith (baritone), Shawna J. Williams (dancer), Darryl Lillian Johnson (actor/singer), Dustin Pray low (dancer) and Jarrod Lee (librettist). Not pictured is the composer Timothy Amukele.

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Highlighter Series
Local Highlighter Series

We are so thrilled to be able to connect with some of the brightest and

Highlighter Series
Who taught you the most about work?

Society has its myths about where we learn – internships, books, school, etc. However, in

Highlighter Series
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?

We asked some of the wisest people we know what they would tell their younger