Biography

Bonnie Lee Panda is drawn to the family-oriented, storytelling, rootsy Americana tradition of country music, so much so that she took the leap and moved to Nashville, TN a year and a half ago. A Connecticut native, Bonnie Lee holds nothing back, delivering energetic, sensual and soulful performances and recordings. She relishes in the multi-facets of relationships, including with oneself, and writes about it all, being as honest as possible.

“Her voice is supple and expressive, one of the best instruments in the folk world,” says John Platt from WFUV 90.7 FM (Sunday Morning City Folk, New York City). Bonnie Lee frequently plays at writer’s nights in Nashville TN, as well as at other listening venues throughout the Northeast. In 2006, Bonnie Lee was named a finalist in the prestigious Plowshare’s songwriting contest in Phoenixville, PA. In 2004, Bonnie Lee advanced into the regional finals in the Nashville Star Competition, after winning the local finals. She has performed live and interviewed on Hartford CT’s WWYZ Country 92.5 FM.

Bonnie Lee has donated her time and talents in performances at assisted living, hospice and nursing homes, shelters, benefits for recovery centers, for hunger and homelessness awareness, and other events for worthy causes. She graduated with honors from the University of Connecticut with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. While at UConn, she co-founded the Chordials, the first thriving a cappella group on campus. Also among her musical experiences are twelve years of private classical vocal training, lead singer in a jazz band, rhythm guitarist and vocalist in a country band, and National Anthem performer (2004 & 2005 CT Special Olympics, New Britain Rock Cats baseball and UConn men’s basketball games).