Dr. Duana Demus Leslie

About

Dr. Duana Demus Leslie is a soprano and Director of Choral and Vocal Activities at Modesto Junior College, where she teaches Applied Vocal Repertoire, Vocal Master Classes, Concert Choir, and Chamber Choir. She has been teaching at Modesto Junior College since 2008. Hailed by critics as possessing an incredible voice, she has performed more than 20 leading operatic and musical theater roles including Aida, Tosca, Contessa, Donna Anna, Serena, and Clara. She has appeared at prestigious venues including the Gallo Center for the Arts, Los Angeles Opera, Fresno Philharmonic, Livermore Valley Opera, and Oakland Symphony. Dr. Demus Leslie is a Doctor of Music with 20 years of professional experience. She received full-ride scholarships to complete her Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music degrees from UCLA and a Bachelor of Arts scholarship from CSU Stanislaus. She also holds Associate of Arts degrees in Music and Liberal Arts from Los Medanos College. Her journey in music is particularly inspiring, as she grew up in Modesto where her mother worked in the tomato canneries, and she joined every choir for free because they couldn't afford voice lessons.

Education & Qualifications

Doctor of Musical Arts from UCLA; Master of Music from UCLA; Bachelor of Arts from CSU Stanislaus; Associate of Arts in Music from Los Medanos College

Teaching Styles