A native of Austin, TX, Jeff Vanderlee received a bachelor’s degree in Music Education degree from the University of Texas at Austin, and subsequently taught choir and orchestra at the middle and high school levels in the Austin and Eanes Independent School Districts. Then, he relocated to Princeton, NJ and received a master’s degree in Choral Conducting from Westminster Choir College at Rider University. Jeff completed his academic training at the University of Arizona where he received a doctorate in choral conducting—his document research was centered on the motets of Johann Christoph Bach (1642-1703). Jeff is a passionate music educator who has worked in K-12 public schools, as well as in higher education. In addition to serving St. Mark’s as the Director of Music, Jeff is also an Assistant Professor of Practice in the Choral Department at the University of Arizona Fred Fox School of Music. He previously held employment during Spring 2021 at Youngstown State University, in Youngstown, Ohio. He is also an accomplished singer and pianist. Throughout his academic and professional career, Jeff has worked as an accompanist for choral ensembles, chamber music, and private voice students. As a member of the Westminster Choir College Symphonic Choir, Jeff has sung with orchestras including the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Berlin Symphony Orchestra, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra. Jeff has had the pleasure to serve a number of congregations in Texas, New Jersey, and Arizona, and is overjoyed to join and serve the St. Mark’s community as their new Director of Music.