| Leslie has always been surrounded by music, art, and multiculturalism. Her parents were musicians - her father an opera and Hollywood film singer who loved folk music, her mother a pianist, an accomplished painter and Warner Bros. cartoonist, and a great creative harmonizer. Leslie's childhood home in Los Angeles hosted a changing international cast which over the years included folk greats and scores of classical musicians, writers, dancers, actors, and artists.Leslie's own performances began at age 8 and have continued throughout her life in California, and her adopted state, Ohio. |  |
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She holds an MA in Theatre from the California State University at Los
Angeles, and has performed in numerous theatre and television, and radio
productions.
In 1997 Leslie was named as a "Living the Dream Artist of the Year" by the City of Columbus, along with storytellers Bobby Norfolk and Jubal Harris, as an artist who best exemplifies commitment to multi-cultural awareness and appreciation. As a Columbus Arts Council Artist-in-Schools, and Director Emeritus of Days of Creation - Arts for Kids, Leslie's work - and a lot of her play - has been focused on young people - and collaboration with artists from all fields. A member of the national Children's Music Network, she sings in 16 languages, and says that if she has a mission it is to " get people singing together ". Leslie combines theatre, music, and movement in performance, conference presentations, workshops, and residencies. And she believes that by experiencing and sharing the creative process we can move mountains . Her album's title, Walk Dance Talk Sing comes from the West African proverb " If you can walk , you can dance, If you can talk , you can sing ", and she adds that if you can't do any of those things you can still do whatever you can - and probably more. Additional Notes: Leslie has conducted programs for kids, families, and seniors at The Leo Yassenoff Jewish Center, and served as Sunday school music instructor at Congregation Beth Tikvah, Columbus. She has been an artist in residence at Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY, and served on the Clintonville Area Commission in Columbus, Ohio for four elected terms . Leslie, her husband, photographer Allen Zak, and artisan son Evan Davis live in Columbus, OH. RECENT PERFORMANCES INCLUDE:
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