Lee Ahlin, Rock School at the Patel Conservatory
Lee Ahlin has worked professionally as a musician, composer and educator since 1975 when he graduated from the University of South Florida with a degree in Theater and Speech. In 1983, Ahlin collaborated with Phil Hall on Children of the Day and other critically praised musicals. He worked with award-winning playwright Bill Leavengood in 1997, and their piece, Hellenback High, was produced by the prestigious New York Theater Institute in July 1998. Soon after, the two wrote Webb’s City The Musical, commissioned by the Pinellas Millennium Committee. The Live Arts Peninsula Foundation remounted the play and commissioned Ahlin to write the songs for full-length musical Crossing the Bay. Over the last four years, Ahlin has teamed with a local theater company to create musical adaptations for young audiences. One, Snow Queen, was published and has been produced nationally. Ahlin has written eight musical adaptations of Shakespeare, 12 pieces for young audiences (one, Cinderella: The True Story, was published by Samuel French) and five full-length musicals. Ahlin is the inspired leader and teacher of Rock School at the Patel Conservatory.