WHO IS EMILY LEE?
For 16 years, I was the music specialist for public television’s largest market and flagship station in NYC. I selected and cleared music for documentaries, news programming, arts biographies, spots, and reels – for some of the most prestigious projects and programs on television and digital media. Also, during that time, I nurtured a hobby (until it grew into a career) as a keyboardist and composer, starting with classical piano and off-off broadway accompaniment, and now, as a specialist in indie rock.
In 2016, I decided to go freelance.
As a music supervisor, I pride myself on being an excellent collaborator – able to select music to suit any producer’s needs, even the most visually-driven.
As a musician, I am a quick learner with a good ear. I am a keyboardist, singer, transcriber, copyist/arranger, and musical director. I am experienced with national and international touring.
As a social media manager, I strive to break down the barrier between fan and band. I want to bring the fan into the real world of their favorite musicians.
RESUME
Freelance
Music Supervisor
As a freelance music supervisor and clearance professional, I have supervised several documentaries including the 2018 Academy Award nominated documentary, Knife Skills, by acclaimed documentarian, Thomas Lennon.
The Hunting Ground (Fork Films)
Social Media Manager
An experienced social media manager for the many music projects I’ve been in, I decided to branch out. I currently run the social media accounts for the impact campaign of the Academy Award nominated film by Amy Ziering and Kirby Dick. The film tackles the subject of campus sexual assault. @thehuntinground
WNET
Music Services, Rights Management Analyst – Legal Department
As a specialist in intellectual property law as it pertains to music, and especially for public television, I provided consultation for lawyers, producers, directors and editors for music clearance and music issues. I researched music for clearance, and was the manager of music cue sheets (RapidCue). I also analyzed contracts for designing, implementing and QA-ing a new rights management software.
Thirteen Productions, LLC.
Music Services, Specialist
Selected and cleared music and sound effects for productions, branding campaigns, digital videos, and corporate projects. These productions include documentaries, public affairs programming, news, arts programming, biographies, promos, sizzle reels, children’s programming, and YouTube shorts.
WLIW and NJTV
Music Services, Specialist
Selected music for local productions, branding campaigns, and digital videos. Replaced music for entire series to reduce cost for home video and digital distribution. Local initiatives have smaller budgets, and I worked hard to work within those constraints.
Shearwater (Sub Pop)
Keyboardist, Back-up Vocalist, Social Media Manager
Asked to join the band because I tweeted at them, I have now been on several world tours. I also started the band Instagram page, creating content, responding to fans, and scheduling posts. I am manager of the band’s Twitter and Facebook. I also create content for YouTube, write a Tumblr tour blog and am integral in breaking down the fourth wall between band and fan.
For our recent concerts of David Bowie’s Berlin Trilogy albums for New Sounds on WNYC, I was the musical director – transcribing, arranging and copying all of the instrumentals. We hope to be able to bring these concerts to a wider audience around the world.
Loma (Sub Pop)
Keyboardist, Twitter Manager
Loma is a super group whose core members are Jonathan Meiburg (Shearwater) and Emily Cross & Dan Duszynski (Cross Record). I played violin on the self-titled debut album. We toured nationally and internationally for much of 2018, and we played SubPop’s 30th Anniversary festival in Seattle. We are currently working on a follow-up album.
Droneflower (Stephen Brodsky & Marissa Nadler)
(Sacred Bones Records)
Synth textures, keyboardist, backup vocalist
Droneflower is a recording collaboration between Stephen Brodsky (Cave-In, Mutoid Man) and Marissa Nadler. For live shows, I create synth textures and backup vocals to fill out the sound to make the live set sound more like the recordings. I also play all the bass and sub-bass. We are currently working on recording a (surprising) cover version of a great 80s song as a trio.
Snake Oil
Keyboardist, Lead Singer, Composer, Songwriter
Snake Oil is a collective of musicians from across NY, CT and MA. It started as an instrumental collective, but with a cover of Black Sabbath’s full “Vol. 4” album, I became the lead singer. Our music has been licensed for use on websites, and we are always seeking out sync opportunities. Our third full-length came out in 2019 on Safety Meeting Records.