Become Part of the Journey
Lesley Leighton, Artistic Director
Whether conducting the 85 voices of the Los Robles Master Chorale, USC's Oriana Women's Chorus, or the newly-formed intimate ensemble, the Consort Singers, Lesley Leighton's primary mission remains the same: to preserve southern California's rich choral music tradition. It is a tradition that she herself has been a part of since childhood. A native of Los Angeles, Leighton studied with Paul Salamunovich at Loyola Marymount University, where she earned her BA in choral conducting. She later obtained her MM in vocal performance from the University of Southern California, where she is currently working on a DMA in choral music with her mentor and nationally-recognized choral conductor, Jo-Michael Scheibe. In July 2010, Leighton will add Assistant Conductor of Los Angeles Master Chorale to her professional duties.
Leighton's music activities have taken her across the United States and abroad. A long-standing member of the Los Angeles Master Chorale and principal artist for more than two decades, she has performed with many of the world's most eminent conductors, including Pierre Boulez, Zubin Mehta, Lorin Maazel, Simon Rattle, Esa-Pekka Salonen, and Grant Gershon. Her opera credits include principal appearances with New York City Opera, Los Angeles Opera, Glimmerglass Opera, Köln Opera, and Glyndebourne.
As a choral conductor, Leighton embraces a broad range of music, from the Renaissance to the Romantic Era, although she is particularly dedicated to twentieth and twenty-first century compositions. In 2009, Leighton was invited to conduct the 240-voice choir at the annual Hollywood Bowl Easter Sunrise Service, duties she will undertake again in 2010. A long-time advocate of music education, she has inaugurated Los Robles Master Chorale's annual High School Choral Festival, which she will present in March 2010.
The recipient of a two-year TAship from the Thornton School of Music at USC, Leighton was also honored in 2009 by the university's Remarkable Women Awards, in recognition of her "outstanding accomplishments and endless dedication" in the area of choral music. Recently appointed Assistant Conductor of Los Angeles Master Chorale, and the first Music Director of the newly established New West Symphony Chorus, Leighton will be dividing her time between these organizations and Los Robles Master Chorale beginning in July 2010.
Read the letter from the Artistic Director
About the Master Chorale
Master Chorale Roster
Board of Directors
Administration
Press Releases for distribution
Contact us
Make a contribution online now
Join our mailing list to be invited to donor events and benefits
Mailing address to contribute by check
EZ Fundraisers
