Teacher Profile: Leslie Cannata

About Leslie Cannata

Music has been at the heart of Leslie's life from an early age. Although she began formal classical training at age 11, she had already been performing since she was very young. Her passion for music led her to earn full-tuition music scholarships from three different universities before completing a Bachelor of Music Education in both vocal and instrumental music. Leslie is certified to teach students of all ages, from young beginners to adults, and believes that music should be accessible, enjoyable, and rewarding for everyone.

With nearly 30 years of private teaching experience and more than two decades as a public school music educator, Leslie has helped thousands of students discover their musical potential. Her primary areas of expertise are voice, viola, and violin, and she also teaches beginning to intermediate piano and cello. As a violist, she maintained first-chair seating throughout her educational career and earned Second Chair All-State honors in Oklahoma. In addition to private instruction, she has directed choirs, musicals, orchestras, and large ensemble performances, giving students valuable opportunities to grow as confident performers.

Leslie's teaching philosophy centers on meeting each student where they are. Whether working with a child taking their very first lesson, a teen preparing for an audition, or an adult fulfilling a lifelong dream of learning an instrument, she tailors every lesson to the student's individual goals, learning style, and interests. She believes that confidence grows through encouragement, patience, and celebrating progress along the way.

Above all, Leslie wants her studio to be a place where students feel challenged, supported, and excited to learn. Her greatest joy comes from watching students discover what they are capable of—both musically and personally. Whether a student hopes to perform on stage, join a school orchestra or choir, or simply enjoy making music for a lifetime, Leslie is committed to helping them build the skills and confidence to succeed.