LESLEE HEYS is thrilled to be joining the Newman Sound experience! She loves the camaraderie and lightheartedness of this hodgepodge of characters that somehow make beautiful music together!
Leslee has a number of hats she wears as a multi-faceted musician in St. John's. Now in her fifteenth year as the collaborative pianist for Shallaway Youth Choir, she is very dedicated to the pedagogical principals of this progressive and excellent choir. Leslee is also the principal accompanist for the award-winning Lady Cove Women's Choir, has a dynamic private piano studio, and is a sought-after accompanist and adjudicator. Lately, her interests have led her into the realm of composing and arranging. Her choral settings, particularly of Newfoundland and Labrador songs, have gained international recognition, and are introducing Canadian and American choirs to the richness of our provincial musical heritage. During a performance in Ireland, one of her arrangements was noticed by Henry Leck and is now confirmed to be published by Hal Leonard Publishing in the near future.
Leslee's skills as a coach/accompanist have led to international performances in more than a dozen countries, as well as participation in Canadian events such as Festival 500, Opera on the Avalon, the National Music Festival, and the rESOund Festival of Contemporary Music. Leslee holds a Bachelor of Music Performance from the University of Toronto, a Master of Music Performance from the university of Western Ontario, and an Associate ship from the Royal Conservatory of Toronto (Performance). She subsists mostly on peanut butter, and can make a deceptively smooth strawberry margarita when the occasion arises.