March 12, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THE ANGELES CHORALE WELCOMES LESLEY LEIGHTON AS NEW ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
LOS ANGELES, CA., March 12, 2025 - The Angeles Chorale is pleased to announce the appointment of Lesley Leighton, DMA, as its new Artistic Director. A seasoned veteran and a significant figure in the Los Angeles choral music community, Leighton offers extensive experience both on and off the podium at the community chorus, collegiate, and professional levels. Leighton's distinguished accomplishments include, but are not limited to, performances at Lincoln Center, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and the Hollywood Bowl. She has collaborated with and prepared for world-renowned conductors, including Gustavo Dudamel, John Adams and David Newman. Leighton's artistic vision and conducting expertise are widely recognized throughout Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Ventura counties. A native of Los Angeles, Leighton received a BA in conducting from Loyola Marymount University, as well as an MM in vocal performance and DMA in conducting from the University of Southern California.
“I am thrilled to join the Angeles Chorale team as its Artistic Director. I had the pleasure of working with the group last fall as guest conductor, and am excited to partner with them in leading the vision for the future,” Leighton said.
The Board of Directors is delighted to add Leighton to their team, says Board Chair, Alison Sieh: “On behalf of the Board of Directors, we are proud of the care and commitment that went into this important decision. We had the distinct pleasure to share the stage with Lesley during our Holiday In Harmony concert this past December. Her dedication to artistic excellence as well as a passion for inclusivity and community engagement will ensure an exciting collaborative partnership. ”
As Artistic Director, Lesley will oversee the organization’s musical direction, providing guidance and expertise in continuing the Angeles Chorale’s storied legacy of choral excellence as it enters an exciting new era. We look forward to being able to announce an exceptional Season 51 in the coming months.
The choir invites current members, prospective members and supporters of the arts in welcoming Lesley to her new role beginning in July. For more information or to learn how you can be involved, please visit www.angeleschorale.org.
Press Contact:
Marcel Bourdase
[email protected]
818-591-1735
THE ANGELES CHORALE WELCOMES LESLEY LEIGHTON AS NEW ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
LOS ANGELES, CA., March 12, 2025 - The Angeles Chorale is pleased to announce the appointment of Lesley Leighton, DMA, as its new Artistic Director. A seasoned veteran and a significant figure in the Los Angeles choral music community, Leighton offers extensive experience both on and off the podium at the community chorus, collegiate, and professional levels. Leighton's distinguished accomplishments include, but are not limited to, performances at Lincoln Center, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and the Hollywood Bowl. She has collaborated with and prepared for world-renowned conductors, including Gustavo Dudamel, John Adams and David Newman. Leighton's artistic vision and conducting expertise are widely recognized throughout Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Ventura counties. A native of Los Angeles, Leighton received a BA in conducting from Loyola Marymount University, as well as an MM in vocal performance and DMA in conducting from the University of Southern California.
“I am thrilled to join the Angeles Chorale team as its Artistic Director. I had the pleasure of working with the group last fall as guest conductor, and am excited to partner with them in leading the vision for the future,” Leighton said.
The Board of Directors is delighted to add Leighton to their team, says Board Chair, Alison Sieh: “On behalf of the Board of Directors, we are proud of the care and commitment that went into this important decision. We had the distinct pleasure to share the stage with Lesley during our Holiday In Harmony concert this past December. Her dedication to artistic excellence as well as a passion for inclusivity and community engagement will ensure an exciting collaborative partnership. ”
As Artistic Director, Lesley will oversee the organization’s musical direction, providing guidance and expertise in continuing the Angeles Chorale’s storied legacy of choral excellence as it enters an exciting new era. We look forward to being able to announce an exceptional Season 51 in the coming months.
The choir invites current members, prospective members and supporters of the arts in welcoming Lesley to her new role beginning in July. For more information or to learn how you can be involved, please visit www.angeleschorale.org.
Press Contact:
Marcel Bourdase
[email protected]
818-591-1735
Photo by: Joseph Escamilla
About the Angeles Chorale
The Angeles Chorale is an all-volunteer, professional-level, auditioned group of 65 Angelenos from all walks of life, aged 21 to over 80, brought together by their shared passion for great choral music. Their mission is to engage, enrich and inspire audiences, singers, and their diverse community by performing great choral music with a passionate commitment to excellence, and to increase access to and appreciation of choral music in greater Los Angeles. Recent Angeles Chorale performance highlights include A John Williams Celebration with the LA Phil at Disney Hall, and Barbra Streisand’s Back to Brooklyn concert at the Hollywood Bowl. In 2014 the chorale was featured with the LA Phil at the Hollywood Bowl in An Evening of Chinese Splendor and in 2015 the Angeles Chorale performed in Distant Worlds: Music from Final Fantasy at the Microsoft Theater. In 2021 and 2022, the Chorale was featured in Home Alone In Concert, conducted by David Newman at Walt Disney Concert Hall. In 2023, the Angeles Chorale performed with Shahkar Bineshpajooh in a celebration of culture and philanthropy at the Peacock Theater. In 2024 the Angeles Chorale made their Streaming debut on Peacock appearing in episodes of Paris & Nicole: The Encore!
About Lesley Leighton
Lesley Leighton has performed as a conductor and singer at Lincoln Center, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Hollywood Bowl, Opernhaus Köln, Glyndebourne, and Glimmerglass, and has worked with and prepped for world-renowned conductors Gustavo Dudamel, John Adams, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Leonard Slatkin, David Newman, Anthony Parnther, and the late Bramwell Tovey, in addition to composer David Lang.
She made her Los Angeles Opera and Los Angeles Philharmonic conducting debuts in the 2018-19 season in two works by David Lang, in addition to preparing Los Robles Master Chorale for its debut at the Ojai Festival. She is currently the Principal Guest Conductor of the San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra, and was the Associate Conductor of Los Angeles Master Chorale from 2010-2016, in addition to serving as the Artistic Director of Los Robles Master Chorale from 2007-2022. She most recently worked with the LA Phil in December 2024, preparing the chorus for conductor and film composer David Newman, for the live to screen performance of Home Alone. She also serves as the Department of Music Chair, and Director of Conducting & Choral Activities at California State University San Bernardino, and is the Director of Music at Glendale First United Methodist Church.
Leighton’s voice can be heard on more than 120 film and television soundtracks, most recently on Ghostbusters 3, Chucky, Super Mario Bros. Movie, Captain Marvel, Sing2, Mulan, Deadpool, and Twisters (both 2024 and 1996) as well as classics like Frozen I & II, and The Lion King. A native of Los Angeles, Leighton studied conducting with Paul Salamunovich earning a BA in conducting from Loyola Marymount University, and an MM in vocal performance and a DMA in conducting from the University of Southern California.
Come Celebrate 50 Years of Angeles Chorale with a Spectacular Golden Gala!
Event Details:
Saturday, March 29th 2025
Time: 6:00 PM PST - VIP Pre Concert : 7:30 PM PST GA and Live Streaming
Location: Pico Union Project (1153 Valencia St, Los Angeles, CA 90015)
Tickets for in-person, live streaming and tributes ads are available here
About the Angeles Chorale
The Angeles Chorale is an all-volunteer, professional-level, auditioned group of 65 Angelenos from all walks of life, aged 21 to over 80, brought together by their shared passion for great choral music. Their mission is to engage, enrich and inspire audiences, singers, and their diverse community by performing great choral music with a passionate commitment to excellence, and to increase access to and appreciation of choral music in greater Los Angeles. Recent Angeles Chorale performance highlights include A John Williams Celebration with the LA Phil at Disney Hall, and Barbra Streisand’s Back to Brooklyn concert at the Hollywood Bowl. In 2014 the chorale was featured with the LA Phil at the Hollywood Bowl in An Evening of Chinese Splendor and in 2015 the Angeles Chorale performed in Distant Worlds: Music from Final Fantasy at the Microsoft Theater. In 2021 and 2022, the Chorale was featured in Home Alone In Concert, conducted by David Newman at Walt Disney Concert Hall. In 2023, the Angeles Chorale performed with Shahkar Bineshpajooh in a celebration of culture and philanthropy at the Peacock Theater. In 2024 the Angeles Chorale made their Streaming debut on Peacock appearing in episodes of Paris & Nicole: The Encore!
About Lesley Leighton
Lesley Leighton has performed as a conductor and singer at Lincoln Center, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Hollywood Bowl, Opernhaus Köln, Glyndebourne, and Glimmerglass, and has worked with and prepped for world-renowned conductors Gustavo Dudamel, John Adams, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Leonard Slatkin, David Newman, Anthony Parnther, and the late Bramwell Tovey, in addition to composer David Lang.
She made her Los Angeles Opera and Los Angeles Philharmonic conducting debuts in the 2018-19 season in two works by David Lang, in addition to preparing Los Robles Master Chorale for its debut at the Ojai Festival. She is currently the Principal Guest Conductor of the San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra, and was the Associate Conductor of Los Angeles Master Chorale from 2010-2016, in addition to serving as the Artistic Director of Los Robles Master Chorale from 2007-2022. She most recently worked with the LA Phil in December 2024, preparing the chorus for conductor and film composer David Newman, for the live to screen performance of Home Alone. She also serves as the Department of Music Chair, and Director of Conducting & Choral Activities at California State University San Bernardino, and is the Director of Music at Glendale First United Methodist Church.
Leighton’s voice can be heard on more than 120 film and television soundtracks, most recently on Ghostbusters 3, Chucky, Super Mario Bros. Movie, Captain Marvel, Sing2, Mulan, Deadpool, and Twisters (both 2024 and 1996) as well as classics like Frozen I & II, and The Lion King. A native of Los Angeles, Leighton studied conducting with Paul Salamunovich earning a BA in conducting from Loyola Marymount University, and an MM in vocal performance and a DMA in conducting from the University of Southern California.
Come Celebrate 50 Years of Angeles Chorale with a Spectacular Golden Gala!
Event Details:
Saturday, March 29th 2025
Time: 6:00 PM PST - VIP Pre Concert : 7:30 PM PST GA and Live Streaming
Location: Pico Union Project (1153 Valencia St, Los Angeles, CA 90015)
Tickets for in-person, live streaming and tributes ads are available here
