Lesley studied Double Bass performance at Trinity College of Music, London and at the Musikhochschüle Lübeck, Germany. After a period of freelancing, which included such diverse activities as working for the Oldenburg Staatstheater Orchester, playing in a String Trio on a cruise ship in the Caribbean and Alaska, winning a place on the London Philharmonic Orchestra’s ‘Future Firsts’ scheme and working as Director of Music in an Anglican Church, she joined the Royal Air Force in 2006 as Double Bassist for the Salon Orchestra of the RAF Central Band.
During her time in the RAF she has furthered her musical education by studying history of music, conducting, composition and arrangement and has gained diplomas in Double Bass performance and Wind Band Direction. She has been awarded the Worshipful Company of Musicians’ medal for both best new student and best bandmaster. Lesley has had the opportunity to compose for a variety of instrumental ensembles as well as enjoying writing choral music. She also won a Jack Petchey Leaders’ award for achievements made while directing an Air Training Corps Choir.
Always aiming to broaden her musical experiences Lesley currently teaches Double Bass and Piano, accompanies on Piano for musical theatre, sings chorally, has undertaken an Organ scholarship and arranges music for various ensembles. She plans to further her studies in composition and, through this, to explore many more musical ideas.