<p><span class="text"><strong><em><font face="Garamond" size="3" color="#3333ff"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px">Essayist, poet and songwriter, Leslie was born in Cleveland, Ohio. Her written work has appeared in many print and online publications. Her creative nonfiction work has been anthologized in inspirational books and her humor pieces have been featured in ezines and websites. </span></font></em></strong></span><span class="text"><strong><em><font face="Garamond" size="3" color="#3333ff"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px">She received the Cleveland Plain Dealer's Excellence in Writing Award in 2005, and in 2006, earned an Honorable Mention in the Great Lakes Songwriting Contest. </span></font></em></strong></span></p><p><span class="text"><strong><em><font face="Garamond" size="3" color="#3333ff"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px">For many years, Leslie has volunteered at her local children's hospital as the Guitar Lady, singing original and traditional children's songs. Like any artist will tell you, when there is a story to be told, they have to tell it. </span></font></em></strong></span></p><p><span class="text"><strong><em><font face="Garamond" size="3" color="#3333ff"></font></em></strong></span><span class="text"><strong><em><font face="Garamond" size="3" color="#3333ff"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px">In Leslie's new adult contemporary CD, Heart to Heart, you hear truth in her songs. They are honest, yet universal and show a mix of spirit and strength. Her inspired lyrics are a poetic blend of blues, folk, and jazz. Her voice, which can be delicate and expressive or sultry and bluesy, covers a wide range of feelings. This solo singer/guitarist also use</span></font></em></strong><strong><em><font face="Garamond" size="3" color="#3333ff"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px">d </span></font></em></strong><strong><em><font face="Garamond" size="3" color="#3333ff"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px">additional complementary instrumentation</span></font></em></strong><strong><em><font face="Garamond" size="3" color="#3333ff"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px"> and musicians</span></font></em></strong><strong><em><font face="Garamond" size="3" color="#3333ff"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px"> </span></font></em></strong><strong><em><font face="Garamond" size="3" color="#3333ff"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px">provided by Soft Wind Productions (John Crafton & Keith Bachman) </span></font></em></strong><strong><em><font face="Garamond" size="3" color="#3333ff"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px">to highlight her lyrics and her voice.</span></font></em></strong></span></p><p><span class="text"><strong><em><font face="Garamond" size="3" color="#3333ff"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px">Listening to her songs is like meeting her face-to-face. You will be taken in by her voice and pulled into a place where you can meet.</span></font></em></strong></span></p>