About Lesley

Originally from the Boston area, I began my musical studies at age 6.  Pre college, I studied at the New England Conservatory Preparatory School, and spent my summers at Greenwood Music Camp. I received my Bachelors of Music and a Graduate Performance Diploma in Violin Performance from the Peabody Conservatory of Music, and a Masters of Music in Violin Performance from the University of California, Santa Barbara. My teaching experience has included private studios in Baltimore, Santa Barbara, El Paso, Chicago, and Shanghai, China, and positions with the El Paso Conservatory of Music, New Mexico State University, and Merit School of Music. Additionally, I was the General Manager of the El Paso Symphony Youth Orchestras, and the String Program Manager at the Merit School of Music in Chicago - experiences which have allowed me to be involved with many aspects of music education, curriculum building, and working with students and families.

I attribute my teaching style and methods to my former pedagogues, who I have been extremely fortunate to work with: Melba Sandberg, Magdalena Richter, Marylou Speak Churchill, Shirley Givens, and Yuval Yaron. Their backgrounds, ranging from traditional Polish methods to the Galamian School, and the teachings of Josef Gingold and Jascha Heifetz, have allowed me to experience a wide variety of methods, all which I use as part of my own teaching. For my young beginners, I mainly use the Adventures in Violinland Series created by my former teacher, Shirley Givens, yet also have Suzuki training and supplement with appropriate material based on a student's needs.