Born and raised in Chicago, Jasmine Lee discovered jazz through her grandfather’s record collection. She went on to study vocal jazz at the New School in New York and became a fixture in the city’s underground jazz clubs before turning her attention to teaching.

Jasmine now teaches vocal improvisation, phrasing, and jazz history at a performing arts high school, where she inspires students to find their voice through exploration and storytelling. She emphasizes emotional honesty in performance and often incorporates spoken word and gospel influences into her classes.

Outside the classroom, Jasmine is the lead vocalist in a contemporary jazz ensemble and mentors young women of color pursuing careers in music. She believes in music as a vehicle for both personal and social transformation.