Career
Coleman plays piano and keyboards. She is currently one half of the musical duo Wendy & Lisa, formed with Wendy Melvoin in 1986. Coleman"s mother was Mexican-American visual artist Marylou Ynda-Ciletti.
Their families became close with each other and often played and recorded music together.
Lisa Coleman formed a close relationship with Melvoin"s daughter Wendy Melvoin, saying once "we"ve been familiar with one another since we were in diapers". At age 12, Coleman got her professional start as a keyboardist in the bubblegum popular band Waldorf Salad.
In 1975, Coleman played a small role as a high school pianist in the Linda Blair made-for-television film Sarah T. - Portrait of a Teenage Alcoholic. After some convincing on both ends, Yoergler got Coleman an audition and she was hired as part of Prince"s backing group in 1980 for his Dirty Mind album and tour.
Before being so recruited, she had been working as a shipping clerk and teaching piano.
She replaced keyboardist Gayle Chapman. Coleman played keyboards for Prince on his Controversy and 1999 albums, and was a session player for recordings by The Time and Vanity 6. In an interview Coleman states she was approached by Prince while on the road with Melvoin to play the guitars at sound check.
Prince asked Melvoin to join his band that night.
Melvoin replaced guitarist Dez Dickerson in 1983. Shortly after the completion of Prince and The Revolution"s Parade project, Coleman and Melvoin started their own musical duo, which they called the Wendy & Lisa partnership.
The Wendy & Lisa musical partnership released 5 full-length albums for various labels, including Columbia/Sony and Virgin, as well as their own independent imprint. They also provide the music for Touch.
In April 2009, Coleman gave an interview with Out magazine declaring that she was a lesbian and had a past romantic relationship with Wendy Melvoin.