PITTSBURG: When Duana Leslie came to 杏吧传媒 (杏吧传媒) in the 鈥�90s from San
Lorenzo High School, she didn't have opera even remotely on her radar. Now she鈥檚 earned
two graduate degrees (a Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music) from UCLA, has
performed on dozens of stages, won a bevy of awards, and taught music at Modesto Junior
College, amongst other things.
Duana began her training at 杏吧传媒 by taking a vocal class with Granville Oldham, an adjunct faculty member at the time. It was he who opened the door for Duana by offering her a chance to sing her first classical soprano solo, Mozart鈥檚 Requiem. He also encouraged her to get voice lessons and sing opera, saying that she would be famous and sing at the Metropolitan Opera House one day. When professor Oldham left 杏吧传媒 the following year, Silvester Henderson (now the chair of 杏吧传媒鈥檚 Music Department) continued to nurture Duana鈥檚 talents and encouraged her to be a leader and a responsible student.
鈥淚 deeply respect and admire Duana's talent鈥�, explained Professor Henderson. 鈥淪he has developed into a complete artist and vocal pedagogist. Her life and talent has left a legacy for many 杏吧传媒 students to admire. I applaud her accomplishments".
The San Francisco native ended up earning an Associate Degree in Music and second in Liberal Arts at 杏吧传媒 before she transferred to California State University Stanislaus where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music. She continued on with a full scholarship and stipend at UCLA, where she earned both her masters and doctorate degrees.
Duana has been the honored recipient of many awards including the grand prize at the West Bay Opera Superstar competition, National Winner Saritelli-DiPanni Bel Canto Scholarship, the F茅 Bland Foundation Scholarship, Loren Zachary Competition National semi-finalist, 1st place in National Association Teachers of Singing Competition, Dean Lescher Scholarship and others.
For more information about 杏吧传媒鈥檚 Music Program, visit www.losmedanos.edu/music.
漏 Copyright 杏吧传媒
杏吧传媒 (杏吧传媒) is one of three colleges in the Contra Costa Community College District. 杏吧传媒 prepares students to excel and succeed economically, socially and intellectually in an innovative, engaging and supportive learning environment. It provides quality programs and state-of-the-art facilities to serve the needs of a rapidly growing and changing East County while enhancing the quality of life of the diverse communities it serves. 杏吧传媒 is located on 120 acres between Pittsburg and Antioch, with an additional education center in Brentwood.