Lee Treat (BA)
Percussion/Mallets/Drums
Inspiration began on a cold winter night in New York City. Lee Treat, only a high-school student at the time, walked inside the Blue Note to take in the warmth of the music. The stars were in alignment for Lee as Chick Corea came up right to him and began a conversation Lee would always remember. The performance of Chick Corea, Steve Gadd, Michael Brecker, and Eddie Gomez wasn't too forgettable either!
Soon after this enlightening experience, Lee felt a calling to music and to one day be on stage and inspire musicians to pursue their desire. Later that year he auditioned and attended North Carolina School of the Arts for the foundation of classical training with John R. Beck. The following year Lee was placed in the studio of world renowned Marimbist and Percussionist Gordon Stout at Ithaca College, School of Music, while also studying Jazz Vibraphone and Drum-Set with Jazz Educator Steve Brown and Conrad Alexander.
Lee has performed in both classical and jazz on Drums, Percussion, and Mallets in over four states, and two countries including a tour of Ireland with the Ithaca College Wind Ensemble. In addition to playing the infamous ratchet part in Carl Orff's Carmina Burana at Avery Fisher Hall in Lincoln Center, Lee has performed multiple world premiers with composers Karl Husa and Dana Wilson, and has premiered his own compositions in three solo recitals.
Lee also finds time to volunteer and help out in the communities in his travels, including over fourteen musicals at the Dillingham Center in Ithaca, NY, and the Ritz Company Playhouse in Hawley, PA. Lee is currently teaching in New York and Pennsylvania as a Percussion/Mallets/Drums instructor.