Lea received her BS in Music Education from the University of Illinois, Champaign Urbana and did masters work at the University of Memphis specializing in Orff and early childhood music. An experienced music educator, Lea taught intergenerational music classes from ages 0 to 99+.
It was from this intergenerational music teaching experience that led Lea to begin working with those who were living with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. She founded her "Musical Memories" business in Memphis, TN in 2000.
Lea served as a board member in numerous music education organizations and was the operations manager of the Memphis Jazz Workshop. In 2022, she relocated to Santa Fe to be near family and to passionately serve and bring joy to those who are living with dementia.
