DIANE LESLIE

From her earliest years, it was clear that Diane had a talent unlike any other. Before graduating high school, she had amassed an impressive list of achievements, highlighted by her performing with the Pittsburgh Symphony as the featured soloist to a sold out Heinz Hall and winning the Pittsburgh Concert Society Award. Later, Diane toured America, playing such legendary concert halls as Alice Tully Hall in New York City.

More recent performances included Steinway Hall, Town Hall, CBC Canada, WNYC Radio, and CNN television.Diane was Pianist-in-Residence for major UNICEF events in the United States and worldwide. Diane studied classical piano her entire life with the top teachers at The Juilliard School, and in 2010 was named a Steinway Artist. 

In addition to her tremendous mastery of classical works, Diane had a unique crossover style, infusing classical compositions with pop and jazz undertones, highlighted by her successful album “In My Mind” released in 2006, and later “Classical Evolution,” which debuted at Feinstein’s at The Regency in late 2012. 

Diane garnered worldwide attention for her award-winning compositions for film and television, including her original composition of the infectious theme song for the 1980s sitcom “Small Wonder.” She wrote music for Lincoln Center “Out-of-Doors” Festival and composed the score for the musical “The Coolest Cat in Town,” presented at New York City Center. Diane was an accomplished singer and actress, and had a successful career in the voice-over industry, lending vocals to such legendary ad campaigns as Nair and Clairol, and the classic ABC production of “Pinocchio’s Christmas,” in which she portrayed the Snow Queen.

Diane earned her master’s degree in piano performance from NYU, where she served for years as an adjunct faculty member.

Diane Leslie—beloved classical pianist, singer, composer, and actress—left this world on August 25, 2014. She was an artist, colleague, perpetual student, and most of all, a genuine human being with love to offer all who were privileged to know her. The music that she created and shared, the artistry that inspired us all, and the valiant spirit she demonstrated will remain forever in our memory.