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About Me

A native of Indiana, Leslie Manfredo received her Bachelor of Music Education degree from Indiana University and Master’s degrees in Music Education and Educational Organization and Leadership (EOL) from the University of Illinois. Retired in June of 2017, Leslie served as the Assistant Director of Choral Activities at Illinois State University for 5 years, where she directed the women’s choirs, taught music education courses in choral conducting and choral methods, and assisted with edTPA student teacher preparation. Previous to her tenure at ISU, she taught public school vocal music for 23 years at all levels in Indiana, Illinois, and Tennessee and directed choirs at the Elementary, Junior High, Senior High, and adult levels in both school and non-school settings. In addition, she served as a full-time Church Music Director for St. Mary Cathedral in West Lafayette, IN and the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana for 7 years. Leslie was a National Board Certified teacher (EAYA Music) and holds Illinois licensure in General Administration as well as teaching.

Leslie has served as a festival guest conductor, contest adjudicator, and choral clinician; has published articles for the State Music Education Journal; and has presented many sessions at the Illinois Music Education Conference (IMEC). She was honored to receive the Mary Hoffman Award of Excellence in 2017 from the Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA). Over the years, Leslie’s choirs were invited to participate in numerous special performances: her elementary choirs sang with the Eastern Illinois Orchestra and in the Rotunda of the State capital; her Mahomet-Seymour High School Chamber Choir and Madrigals performed at the IMEC and the Millikin University Vocal Festival; and her ISU Choir, Belle Voix, performed at the IMEC as well as at the Benjamin Britten 100 Year Conference and the U of I Women’s Choir Festival. She served as a vocal instructor at the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Michigan for 5 years and at Illinois Summer Youth Music (ISYM) for 4 years. Leslie currently serves at the ACDA Central Division Treasurer and previously served as Treasurer for the Illinois Chapter of ACDA for 4 years and as IMEA District 3 Rep for 8 years.

In her retirement, Leslie has relocated to the South Loop of Chicago with her husband, Joe. In addition to taking advantage of all the cultural opportunities that the city offers, she also sings in the Apollo Chorus of Chicago and as a church musician at Old St. Mary’s Parish in the South Loop. In addition, Leslie serves in an adjunct capacity at Vandercook College of Music and ²Ø¾«¸ó, where she teaches an elementary general music methods class and supervises choral student teachers. She also leads professional development sessions as an Illinois Music Educators Association (ILMEA) Clinician and provides cantor training for the Archdiocese of Chicago. She and Joe have two adult children who live and work in the Chicago area, along with two beautiful granddaughters.

See more about her along with some of her work through these links: