Master of Music in Performance and Pedagogy (Voice), 2013
CURRICULUM VITAE
Kirsten Therese Leslie
611 Schubert Street
Woodstock, IL 60098
646-244-3434
Education
Master of Music in Performance and Pedagogy (Voice), 2013
Moores School of Music, University of Houston, Texas
- Cynthia Clayton, Voice Instructor
- Teaching Assistant/Voice Professor during degree program
- Scholarship Recipient
- Pi Kappa Lambda Music Honor Society
Bachelors of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre Performance, 1992
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 1990-92
Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1988-90
- Scholarship Recipient
- Dean’s List all four years
- Nominated for Rhodes Scholarship
- Graduated with High Honors
Additional Studies
Private Training for Film Acting, 2009
David Murphy, The Green Room, An Actor’s Studio, Chicago, IL
Italian Studies, “Visiting Artist”, 2006
University of Florence, Florence, Italy
Scholarship and Stipend Recipient
Italian Language Studies, “Artist in Residence”, 2005
German Language Studies, “Artist in Residence”, 2004
“Deutsch für Sänger” Program, 2002
Middlebury College Language Schools, Middlebury, Vermont
Scholarship and Stipend Recipient
Piano Minor, 1988-1990
Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Cincinnati Ohio
Dr. Jackson Leung, Piano Instructor
Dance, 1984 - 1992
Judith Svalander School of Dance, Crystal Lake, Illinois – Ballet, Character, Modern
James Truitt, Cincinnati, Ohio – Ballet, Jazz
Tim Millet (original Zach - A Chorus Line on Broadway), Ann Arbor, MI – Ballet, Jazz, Modern
Private Piano Lessons, 1977-1988
Diane Koenig, Chicago, IL
Musical Theatre Major, Organ Minor, 1987
Interlochen National Music Camp, Interlochen, Michigan
Scholarship Recipient
Principal Voice Teachers and Coaches
Teachers
- Sherman Lowe: Venice, Italy
- Leyna Gabriele: New York, New York
- Mark Oswald: Manhattan School of Music, New York, NY
- Elizabeth Hynes: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
Coaches
- Greg Buchalter: Metropolitan Opera, New York, NY
- Thomas Lausmann: Kommische Oper, Berlin, Germany
- Shannon McGinnis: Collaborative Arts Institute of Chicago, IL
- Bethany Self, Houston Grand Opera, TX
- Brian Suits, Moores School of Music, TX
- Bill Vendice: Los Angeles, CA
- Joan Morris & Bill Bolcom, Martin Katz: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Voice Professor/Teaching Assistant of Voice – 2012 – 2013
Voice instructor to university students at the Moores School of Music, University of Houston, (including grading juries & recitals, etc.)
Teaching Assistant to Professor Cynthia Clayton
Private Voice & Musical Theatre Teacher
Private Studio in Houston, Texas - beginning to intermediate singers, 2011 – 2012
Private Studio in Chicago, Illinois - beginning to intermediate Musical Theatre, 2009 – 2011
Private Acting Coach
Private Studio in Chicago, Illinois and Houston, TX – 2009 – 2013
Private Piano Teacher, 2006-2007
Private Studio in New York, NY – beginning to intermediate
Private Voice Teacher and Coach, Musical Theatre, 2005
Private Studio in Florence, Italy - children – ages 8 to 18
Italian Language through Opera, 2005
Co-Taught class in Italian, “Artist in Residence” (on staff), Middlebury College, Vermont
SOLO PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE
Select Performances (not all):
Opera/Operetta/MusicTheatre/Concert/Symphonic - National and International
(Most shows listed are either Equity or AGMA)
April 2013Soloist in Mass in c minor, Mozart; St. Philip’s Presbyterian Church, Houston, TX
April 2013Soloist in “Verdi Opera Gala”; Raue Center for the Performing Arts, Crystal Lake, IL
April 2013Gilda in Rigoletto; Moores Opera House, University of Houston, TX;
Dr. Brett Mitchell, Conductor
February 2013Soloist in Mahler’s Fourth Symphony, Bering United Methodist Church, Houston, TX; Jake Sustaita, Conductor
December 2012Soloist in Messiah, Handel; Raue Center for the Performing Arts, Crystal Lake, IL
November 2012Orquidea in Salsipuedes: Daniel Catan, Composer; Moores Opera House, University of Houston, TX; Dr. Brett Mitchell, Conductor
November 2012Soloist in Samson and Judas Maccabaeus, Handel; Moores Opera House, University of Houston, TX
January 2012Flier in Amelia, Daron Hagen, Composer; Second time opera ever performed; Moores Opera House, University of Houston, TX
November 2011Hanne in Seasons, Haydn; Moores Opera House
August 2011Soloist in “Make the Most of a Million”, Benefit for The University of Chicago Cancer Research Foundation; with Rodell Rosel, Tenor (MET soloist); Arlington Park Racetrack, Illinois
March, 2011Soloist in “Opera Evening” with Rodell Rosel; sponsored by Lyric Opera of Chicago Board Members; Chicago, IL
March, 2011Soloist “Italian Festival” with Rodell Rosel; Vince Gerasole, NBC NEWs Anchorman narrated the event; scenes from Lucia, Il Barbiere di Siviglia, & Rigoletto; Chicago Italian Cultural Institute sponsored event at Navy Pier, Chicago, IL
January, 2011Soloist in Gloria, Vivaldi; portions of Mass in c minor, Mozart; Christmas Oratorio, Saint-Saens; Stephen Alltop, Conductor; St. Benedict’s Church, Chicago, IL
September, 2010Carrie Fisher in Opera Premiere of Lily; worked directly with Amanda Jacobs & Lindsay Baker, Composer/Lyricist; Chicago, Illinois
September, 2010Soloist in “Opera Gala” with Rodell Rosel & Levi Hernandez; Maurice Boyer, Conductor; St. Benedict’s Church, Chicago, IL
March, 2010Mrs. Gardiner in Chicago Opera Premiere of Pride and Prejudice; with Nick Sandys as Darcy; worked directly with Amanda Jacobs & Lindsay Baker, Composer/Lyricist; Steven Daigle, Stage Director; Victoria Bond, Music Director; Athenaeum Theatre, Chicago, IL
December, 2009Soloist in Messiah, Handel; with Buffy Baggott, Mezzo Soprano; Raue Center, Crystal Lake, Illinois; LIVE Videocast of concert aired by Northwest Herald Newspaper – serves the Chicago area
December, 2009Soloist in In Terra Pax, Gerald Finzi; Andrew Lewis, Conductor; Elgin Symphony Orchestra, Elgin, IL
November, 2009Soloist in Gloria, Vivaldi; Stephen Alltop, Conductor; St. Benedict’s Church, Chicago, IL
September, 2009Soloist, “Opera Celebration” with Rodell Rosel & Lauren Curnow; Julia Davids, Conductor; St. Benedict’s Church, Chicago, IL
June, 2008Soloist, Christmas Oratorio, Saint-Saens & other works; Patrick Godon, Conductor and Organist; Southern Tour (New Orleans first stop)
October, 2008Soloist, Nightly Opera Concerts, Château Chanzé, Loire Valley, France
Sherman Lowe, Director
December, 2008Solo Recital in German including Frauenliebe und Leben, Schumann; Lübeck Concert Hall, Lübeck, Germany
December, 2007Soloist in Messiah, Handel; with Buffy Baggott, Mezzo Soprano; Raue Center, Crystal Lake, Illinois
November 2006 - Anabella in A Christmas Carol the Musical; Tazewell
Jan, 2007 Thompson, Director (New York City Opera, Opera Bastille); Westport Playhouse, Connecticut
June 2006Soloist in Sacred Music Concert; portions of Mass in c minor, Mozart; Shrine of Padre Pio, San Giovanni Rotondo, Puglia, Italy
December, 2005Featured soloist in Italian Recital; Università degli Studi di Firenze (Concert Hall), Italy
October, 2005Solo Recital in Italian; various opera arias and Neopolitan Songs, Università degli Studi di Firenze (Concert Hall), Italy
August, 2005Solo Recital in Italian; various opera arias and Neopolitan Songs, Rosario Mastroserio, pianist; Middlebury College Concert Hall, Vermont
November, 2004Solo Recital, “Champagne Parlor Concert”, hosted by Georges Ugeux, President & CEO of Galileo Global Investors, NYC; prominent businessmen from all over Manhattan attended
August, 2004Solo Recital in German; various opera arias and Leider; Shannon McGinnis, pianist; Middlebury College Concert Hall, Vermont
February, 2004Blondchen in Die Entführung aus dem Serail; Opera Brooklyn, New York, NY
June, 2003Cleone in Ermione; Carnegie Hall World Premiere; with Barry Banks and Bruce Ford, New York, NY
May, 2003Soloist in Cornation Mass, Mozart; Illinois Symphony; Karen Deal, Conductor; Springfield, Illinois
March-April, 2003Madame Herz in Der Schauspieldirektor, Mozart; Florentine Opera; Milwaukee, Wisconsin
December, 2002Soloist in Messiah, Handel; Magnificat, Rutter; John Rutter Conductor; Carnegie Hall, New York, NY
December, 2002Soloist in Messiah, Handel; Raue Center, Crystal Lake, Illinois
August, 2002Soloist in German Lieder Concert; Shannon McGinnis, pianist; Middlebury College Concert Hall, Vermont
April, 2002Soloist in Exultate Jubilate, Mozart; Magnificat, Rutter; Gloria, Vivaldi; John Rutter, Conductor; Carnegie Hall Debut
April 2002Solo Recital; Works by Lehar, Gounod, Barber, Puccini; St. Bartholomew’s Church on Park Avenue, New York, NY
March, 2002Papagena in Die Zauberflöte; Opera Brooklyn, New York, NY
November, 2001Soloist in Mass in G, Schubert; William Trafka, Conductor; St. Bartholomew’s Church on Park Avenue, New York, NY
June, 2001Soloist in Missa Brevis, Mozart; William Trafka, Conductor; St. Bartholomew’s Church on Park Avenue, New York, NY
May, 2001Soloist in Opera Awards Gala; Weill Hall, Carnegie Hall, New York, NY
October, 2000Fisherwoman in Peter Grimes; with Phillip Langridge; John Schlesinger, Stage Director; Los Angeles Opera, CA
September, 2000Soloist in Copland Songs; with Pacific Symphony key players; outreach - Orange County Schools, CA
July, 2000Soloist in Carmina Burana, Orff; Carl St. Clair, Conductor; Pacific Symphony Orchestra, Daniel Belcher, Baritone; Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
February, 2000Soloist in Neue Liebeslieder-Walzer, Brahms; John Alexander, Conductor; Segerstrom Hall, Orange County, CA
November, 1999Soloist in “Performers Showcase” (winner of Los Angeles Opera Buffs Competition); scenes from Le Nozze di Figaro, Les pêcheurs de perles, Don Pasquale; with Ron Li-Paz, Baritone, Zipper Hall, Colburn School for the Performing Arts, Los Angeles, CA
October, 1999Cleone in Le Malade Imaginaire, Charpentier; Long Beach Opera, CA
March, 1999Soloist in Soir sur La Plaine, Lili Boulanger; World Premiere; Carl St. Clair, Conductor; Pacific Symphony; Segerstrom Hall, Orange County, CA
January, 1999Soloist in Mass in b minor; Sheridan Ball, Conductor; River Oaks, CA
May, 1998Soloist in Chamber Works Recital with players from the Pacific Symphony; Bermuda Triangle, World Premiere of original work by Tom Vos; Lumpy Gravy Café, Los Angeles, CA.
This was the first time that classical music had been brought into this “rock music café”, and the venue was standing room only.
May, 1998Soloist in Exultate Jubilate, Mozart; Donald Neuen, Conductor, Crystal Cathedral, Anaheim, CA
March, 1998Soloist in Creation, Haydn; Donald Neuen, Conductor; Crystal Cathedral, Anaheim, CA
February, 1998Soloist in “John Raitt: A Celebration”, sang musical theatre solos & duets with John Raitt from Carousel, Oklahoma, Paint Your Wagon; John Raitt Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
September, 1997Soloist at Artist’s Rights Foundation John Huston Awards; honoring Milos Forman and John Huston; Beverly Hilton, Beverly Hills, CA
May, 1997Soloist in Requiem, Faure; Paul Salamunovich, Conductor, Los Angeles, CA
April, 1997“A Musical Collage”, one-woman show of musical theatre works, Auditorium Theatre at Los Angeles Valley College, CA
1994 – 1996Harpsichordist, Baroque Singer, Dancer and 18th Century Actor employed by Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Williamsburg, VA
January, 1996Morgana in Alcina, Handel; Capitol Building; Colonial Williamsburg Foundation; all period instruments in Baroque hall
December 1995Soloist in “1940’s Radio Hour”, Governor Allen’s (Virginia) Christmas Party, songs of Berlin, Kern, Porter and Gershwin; Re-enactment of a 1940’s radio show in the old Rockefeller Home in Williamsburg, VA
December, 1995Polly in The Beggar’s Opera; Capitol Building; Colonial Williamsburg Foundation; all period instruments in Baroque hall
November, 1995Soloist in Christmas Cantata, Scarlatti; Williamsburg Palace; Williamsburg Foundation; all period instruments in Baroque hall
June – July, 1995Soloist in European Tour with Marilyn Mason, Organist; various Baroque and Mozart works; Amsterdam, Vienna, Prague & Budapest
March, 1995Soloist in Magnificat, Bach; Hodie, Vaughan Williams; Williamsburg Choral Guild, Virginia
December, 1994Soloist in Laud to the Nativity, Respighi; Williamsburg Choral Guild, VA
October, 1994Soloist in Mass in c minor, Mozart; Williamsburg Choral Guild, VA
July, 1994Soloist in European Tour with Marilyn Mason, Organist; various Baroque and Mozart works; Leipzig, Dresden, Weimar, and other east German cities
June, 1994Luisa in The Fantasticks; Williamsburg Players, Williamsburg, Virginia
February-May, 1994Leopard in The Greatest Star of All; various venues, Rostov, Russia
December, 1993Carrie in Carousel; Commonwealth Musical Stage, Virginia Beach, VA
Summer, 1992Maria in West Side Story; with Hunter Foster as Tony
Magnolia in Showboat; with Michael Lackey as Ravenal
Croswell Opera House, Adrian, Michigan
Spring, 1992Vocal Minority in Company; with Hunter Foster; Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Fall, 1990Anne in A Little Night Music; with Hunter Foster as Henrik; Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre, Ann Arbor, MI
Summer, 1990Susie Clemens and Dancer in Mark Twain Musical Drama; with Kirov Ballet; Elmira, New York
March, 1990Quintet in A Little Night Music; Aurelia Theatricals, Cincinnati, Ohio
Summer, 1989Various roles at Quisisana Resort, (Summer Stock), Center Lovell, Maine
Summer, 1988Henrietta in Little Mary Sunshine; Illinois Stage Company, Dekalb, IL
Spring, 1988Maggie in A Chorus Line, Woodstock Opera House, Woodstock, IL
Fall, 1987Young Sally in Follies; Woodstock Opera House, Woodstock, IL
Spring, 1987Rosie and Dancer in Sweet Charity; Woodstock Opera House, IL
Summer, 1987Rose in Ruddigore, Gilbert and Sullivan
General Cartwright and Cabana Dancer in Guys and Dolls
Interlochen National Music Camp, Interlochen, Michigan
Summer, 1986Maria in West Side Story; Woodstock Music Theatre, Woodstock, IL
Spring, 1983Bet in Oliver; Woodstock Opera House, Woodstock, IL
Other Performances
2009-PresentSoloist in Chicago area in Opera Galas/Cabaret/Music Theatre with prominent opera singers (MET, Houston Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, San Francisco Opera, etc.) at least once a month, frequently perform with Rodell Rosel, Levi Hernandez, Paul Radulescu, Lauren Curnow & Luciano Laurentiu
2009-Present“Nightingale Sings Entertainment” – Recitalist/Cabaret Singer throughout Chicago area; my own one-woman-shows
2001-2013Employed in various prestigious choruses throughout the years:
Chicago Lyric Opera Chorus, Donald Nally, Conductor
Chicago Symphony Chorus, Duaine Wolfe, Conductor
Will Ferris Chorale, Paul French, Conductor
Los Angeles Opera, Bill Vendice, Conductor
John Alexander Singers, John Alexander, Conductor
Pacific Symphony Chorus, John Alexander, Conductor
Crystal Cathedral Singers, Donald Nuen, Conductor
Cathedral of St. John the Divine, NYC; Johnson Flucker, Conductor
20011Soloist and Section Leader at:
Christchurch Cathedral, Houston, TX
Bering United Methodist, Houston TX
Beth Israel Synagogue, Houston, TX
2009-2011Church Soloist & Section Leader at:
St. Peter’s in the Loop, Chicago, IL
St. Benedict’s Church, Chicago, IL
Holy Name Cathedral, Chicago, IL
St. Gregory’s Church, Chicago, IL
2001-2007Church Soloist & Section Leader at:
St. John the Divine, New York, NY
St. Bartholomew’s on Park Avenue, New York, NY
Trinity Wall Street, New York, NY
St. Ignatius, New York, NY
2001-2004Contracted Choral Singer in Performances at prestigious NYC venues:
Backup singer for Kathleen Battle at Carnegie Hall
Choral Singer for Lauren Flanigan at Carnegie Hall
Backup singer for Jessye Norman at St. Bartholomew’s Church
Various concerts with NY Phil and Orchestra of St. Lukes
1983-1994Professional Accompanist/Pianist:
Accompanist to young string players - Cincinnati Conservatory of Music
Teenage accompanist for McHenry County Suzuki Strings, IL
Teenage pianist for various churches in Illinois
Part of a professional piano trio – “Kigian Trio”
Part of a professional trio – “Leslie’s Three”-sisters played flute and violin
Professional pianist for cocktail parties, luncheons, etc.
Harpsichordist at Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Straight Theatre and Film
2009-2011Leads in various Student Films at Columbia, Depaul and Northwestern Universities, Chicago, IL
October, 1997Small Role and Stand-In for Linda Hamilton in Hollywood Film Shadow Conspiracy; Hollywood Pictures Productions; with Ben Gazarra, Donald Sutherland, & Charlie Sheen
October 1994 - 18th Century Lead Actor in various straight plays, Williamsburg Theatre,
December 1995Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, VA
Imogen in Cymbeline, William Shakespeare
Alicia in Tragedy of Jane Shore, Nicholas Rowe
Bizarre in The Inconstant, George Farquhar
Biddy in The Tender Husband, Richard Steele
Lucy in The Provoked Wife, John Vanbrugh
September-OctoberAnne in Affairs of the Heart, Wythe House, Colonial Williamsburg
1995Foundation; an original play about plantation life in Williamsburg which tried to show how slaves were actually treated in the 18th Century; created much controversy at the time that it opened in 1995; required ample research about 18th century life
January, 1995Leading Role in Colonization; CD Rom depicting 18th Century life in the Colonies; Microprose-Baltimore Productions/Distributors
BROADCASTS, PUBLICATIONS, PRESENTATIONS & RECORDINGS
Front Row, LIVE Broadcast of Rigoletto Excerpts, April, 2013
Sang Gilda on KUHA, classical radio station in Houston, TX
Messiah, LIVE Videocast of Concert, December, 2009
Soloist with Buffy Baggott, Mezzo Soprano; Raue Center, Crystal Lake, Illinois; concert aired by Northwest Herald Newspaper – serves the Chicago area
Sweet Harmony, 2001
Soloist in Lili Boulanger’s Soir sur la plaine with John Alexander Singers, Orange County, CA
Professional Studio Recording – Commercial CD (Amazon.com)
Colonial Williamsburg Journal, Spring, 2001
“Cursing the Darkness: Lighting and its Effects on Virginia’s Tradesmen”
Article highlighted research/re-enactment of 18th Century life in Williamsburg, Virginia
KUSC, Los Angeles Public Radio, March, 1999
Soloist in Live World Premiere Performance of Lili Boulanger’s Soir sur la plaine
John Alexander Singers and the Pacific Symphony Orchestra, Carl St. Clair, Conductor
“Hour of Power”, Crystal Cathedral Televised Service, May, 1998
Soloist in live performance of Exultate Jubilate, Mozart; Donald Neuen, Conductor, Internationally Televised Program, Anaheim, CA
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Virginia, 1995-1996
Research/Re-enactment of the life of colonial actress, singer, dancer and harpsichord player, “triple threat”, Nancy Hallam; show attracted much attention in Colonial Williamsburg.
My own forty minute program (one woman show) about Ms. Hallam’s life weekly.
Colonial Williamsburg Journal, Spring, 1995
“All the best Plays, Opera’s, Farces, and Pantomimes”
Article highlighted research/re-enactment of Nancy Hallam – Front page of Journal
Colonial Williamsburg News, February 24, 1995
“Teamwork brings colonial actress to life”
Article highlighted research/re-enactment of Nancy Hallam – Front page of newspaper
Colonial Life, October, 1995
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation DVD of Depiction of Colonial Life in the 18th Century
Featured Research/Re-enactment of 18th Century Woman
Honorary and Professional Organizations
Pi Kappa Lambda Music Honor Society – recently inducted, 2013
Association of Musical Artists (AGMA) – member since 1999
Screen Actors Guild (SAG) – since 1996
Actors Equity Association (Equity) – since 1993
Interlochen Alumni Association (Chicago Chapter) – since 2009
University of Michigan Alumni Association (Chicago Chapter) – since 2009
Chicago Acting in Film – since 2009
- Volunteer Organizer, Chicago Christmas Fundraiser, 2010
200 people attended – after expenses, raised $7,000
AWARDS
Scholarship Recipient; Moores School of Music, University of Houston, 2011-2013
Winner, Padre Pio Sacred Soloist Competition, 2006
San Giovanni Rotondo, Puglia, Italy
Mozart Mass in c minor
Scholarship and Stipend Recipient; Named “Visiting Artist”, 2006
University of Florence, Italy
Scholarship Recipient and Named “Artist in Residence”, 2004