Testimonials

“When I was needing a voice teacher, Lesley came highly recommended to me from many of her current and former students.  I began lessons and was very grateful for the guidance and style of her classes. I learn d a lot and felt supported in. All aspects of her teaching.  If asked, I will always give a positive referral for Lesley Andrew, who I believe has a thorough knowledge of her art, and approaches her work and those around her in an uplifting abs supportive way.”
~Bonnie

“Thank you for your continual inspiration and encouragement!  You have helped me immensely and I have thoroughly enjoyed our time together!”
~ Joan

“Thank you so much for your positive attitude and the advice you give.  My voice lessons give me hope, you know.”
~ Pam

“Thank you for all of your guidance and encouragement.  You make singing and acting so enjoyable and always interesting.  I’ve also loved seeing the ways that this has helped me in other areas of my life, like teaching.  Thank you for laughing with me every week.”
~ Holly

“Thank you again for putting on an incredible recital! You do wonderful work, and I am so honoured to be a part of your studio.”
~ Zoe

“Lesley is the best teacher with whom I have ever worked as a collaborative pianist in both studio and recital settings.  She is equally comfortable with several genres of music, including opera, art song, musical theatre, pop and jazz.  She is inspiring and positive with the students.  She teaches them how to learn the music by showing them the step-by-step process they need to follow to learn a piece properly.  She doesn’t just ‘give them a fish’, she teaches them HOW to fish.  Lesley is active in the performance field.  She brings this into her teaching, and it keeps her in touch with what her students are doing.  She teaches them how to work with collaborative pianists and fellow colleagues, and how to behave professionally.  Lesley doesn’t have just one approach, so if a student doesn’t understand, she has several ways of approaching the issue at hand.  She is supportive of everyone.  She is equally comfortable working with children, teenagers and adults.  Lesley is an asset to any teaching facility.”  ~ Yvonne

“The overall impression conveyed by Ms Andrew was excellent.  Her punctuality and level of commitment was exemplary. She was most empathetic towards younger and more experienced students, adopting a workshop approach to her adjudication and setting objectives.  Her sense of humour in particular proved an apt vehicle for her extensive vocal experience and pedagogical skills.  It can be said that every student she adjudicated enjoyed the benefit of a ‘mini masterclass’ and took away valuable pointers for future progress.”  ~ Midland Music Festival

“I highly recommend Lesley Andrew as an adjudicator.  The extensive range if Ms Andrew’s experience and talent makes her an asset to any enterprise.  She is vital, colourful, entertaining and exciting – qualities which are inspiring to the performers.  Ms Andrew is very focused with a cleat and direct pedagogy.  She is the hardest working adjudicator I’ve ever hired, taking enormous care and time to help each student.  In addition, she is wonderful to work with and highly professional at all times.  Lesley Andrew is a qualified, meaningful and valuable adjudicator.”
~ Margaret McCarroll,  Kiwanis Music Festival of Stratford

“I have had the privilege of observing Lesley Andrew not only in concert and opera as a performing colleague, but have also seen her in a teaching role where I have been impressed with her unique combination of knowledge, intuition and excellent communication skills.  Her broad experience as a performer has given her insights firm the theatre that the typical “classically” trained singer seldom attains, enhancing the depth of the contribution she can make as a teacher.  She is able to focus in on the needs of the individual student very quickly, and is able to make appropriate suggestions for change or improvement in a supportive and affirming way, with the student immediately responding with improved singing.  At the eleventh hour, Ms Andrew was invited to direct our Opera Excerpts.  Her experience in the theatre and previous professional directing skills combined with her knowledge of the art form, and her ability to teach quickly and effectively, resulted in a series of very fine performances.  She was able to move into a very stressful setting; her calm and brilliant imagination transforming it into a very positive experience for the young singing actors.  I recommend Lesley Andrew most enthusiastically.” ~  Daniel Lichti, Wilfrid Laurier University

“Lesley Andrew is a versatile performer whom is also blessed with a very versatile voice.  She performed the solos from ‘Carmina Burana’ with character and grace, negotiating the high ‘d’ with ease.  What then surprised me half a year later, at a concert with the Guelph Chamber Choir where she was the featured soloist, was the rich, sonorous notes in the lower tessitura of her voice.  Lesley is clearly capable of performing Broadway and cabaret repertoire with as much ease as art song, oratorio and opera.  Her background in acting allows her to make a very strong connection to her audience.  She exhibits a professionalism and confidence that comes from years of stage experience.  Lesley is a very collegial person with whom to work.  She has experience with repertoire ranging through opera, classical, contemporary and cabaret styles.  This allows her to accommodate the demands placed in her in rehearsal very quickly and easily.”
~ Gerald Neufeld, Guelph Chamber Choir

“I am delighted to recommend Lesley Andrew as a drama teacher for children.  Lesley has worked as a drama teacher with music camp for braille users for seven years, and to teach a drama production for children, age 8-20, who are blind or legally blind.  Lesley is an excellent educator, who teaches to the children’s strengths.  She creates a very comfortable and safe environment, where children are free to have fun and excel.  Very few teachers, even those with specialized training, teach children who are blind or have low vision, as effectively as Lesley.  Lesley is extremely patient and describes things in a manner which is simply and easy to understand.  She communicates well with children and clearly loves working with them.  The children love, respect and enjoy her.lesley is a joy to work with.  She is humble, hard working, kind and sensitive.”~ Dawn

“Lesley is a vastly experienced and versatile performer who is comfortable in a wide e range of musical genres and styles.  She has amassed a considerable solo repertoire in both soprano and mezzo ranges.  Lesley exhibits an unusually high level of self- assurance, discipline, responsibility, musical competence and leadership.  She is reliable, punctual, and well prepared.  Lesley is a gifted actor as well; obviously very comfortable in a variety of roles.  In addition, her enthusiastic nature and pleasant personality have won her many friends among her musical colleagues.  I look forward to working with her again, and would strongly recommend her for any musical endeavour she should choose to pursue!”  ~Ron Beckett, Arcady 

“I have had the privilege of working with Lesley as a colleague, teacher, facilitator or workshops within our organization, and as an amazing community volunteer.  It has been an absolute delight to collaborate with her and witness her passion, professionalism, and expertise.  Lesley’s experience and reputation as a generous professional who is always willing to help out makes her well sought after twaxher, coach, mentor, presenter and colleague.  Lesley is a person who contributes whenever and wherever help is needed.  In the many years that I have known her, she has volunteered for countless activities because she sincerely wants all staff, students and parents to have as many opportunities for success as possible.  Ms Andrew’s rapport with students, parents and staff is extraordinary and it is clear to everyone who works with her that she is a gifted and conscientious teacher.   Everything she does is completed thoroughly and of the highest academic standard.  Lesley is an exceptional teacher.”  ~ Esther Wendel-Caraher, Principal, TVDSB

“How truly blessed we are to have had you as our vocal adjudicator these past few days.  You are truly one of the great ‘Canadian Treasures.’  You have been so positive, inspirational, kind and loving toward our children – AND – the parents, too, were ‘wowed’ with your vibrant personality and musical knowledge.  We hope you come this way again!”
~ Lynda, Kings County Music Festival

“My daughter is a young teenager with ASD, OCD, ADHD, and psychological symptoms related to a traumatic birth experience. She has had the good fortune to be taught and mentored by Lesley for nearly three years. I have been present at most lessons and I have marveled at Lesley’s sensitive and very positive interactions with my rather challenging daughter. Lesley teaches intuitively, targeting the strengths and needs of individuals, helping each one to achieve their potential. My daughter looks forward to her lessons and emerges from the studio a more confident, competent performer each time.Where others have failed, Lesley has been able to elicit the very best from my daughter who cherishes Lesley as her most inspirational role model. In fact, Lesley’s coaching enabled my daughter to succeed in two recent auditions, one for the Grand Theatre, and one for the Palace Theatre. From watching Lesley’s interactions with other students over the years, I have discerned that she approaches each of her students from the starting point of his or her unique strengths and needs, and does so with tremendous sensitivity, empathy, and compassion. As a voice teacher, Lesley has helped my daughter to sing beautifully, with confidence and joy. As a person, she inspires my daughter to embrace her unique gifts, sharing them to the best of her ability with the world.”
~ Jeanette

“We really enjoyed the recital.  I was amazed on how well you worked on the self-confidence especially for the younger kids.  I didn’t think (my child) would be able to pull it off like that.  Thank you!”
~ Sara

“Thank you, Lesley.  This credit goes to you. I am happy (my child) is coming out of her shell!”
~ Seema

“We are so appreciative of all you do with (our child).  You are an inspiration for all of us.  As always, we look forward to seeing you and having (our child) learn from the best.”
~ Tracey

“Lesley worked with me during a period where I was experiencing major technical issues and low self-esteem as a performer. Her dedication and patience with me greatly helped me to improve my confidence and singing craft to a level which allowed me to reach my goal to study voice at university. Lesley’s organization, dependability, and promptitude contribute to her professionalism and reliability as a teacher. She is an extremely acting and encouraging woman. Lesley strives to help her students to appreciate their individuality as an artist and to find confidence to pursue their goals. Lesley is very knowledgeable concerning musical style, diction, and musical presentation and professionalism. Her professional and personal qualities make her a very talented and trustworthy individual and teacher. Lesley’s dedication and passion to voice performance and pedagogy is truly admirable. I would highly recommend Lesley Andrew.”
~ Hillary

“Lesley cares about the quality of her students learning experience, which is evident in her engaging master classes and vocal lessons. Her passion for her job is evident in her attentiveness and creativity in each learning experience she facilitates. Her background in dramatic arts and public speaking demonstrated her ability to engage a crowd. She willingly passes this insight onto her students. Lesley has the gift of encouragement and she uses it in a way that challenges her students to reach their full potential. Lesley has taught me far beyond being able to sing a few specific songs correctly; she taught me the necessary skills to independently learn new music. She has helped me gain confidence. Lesley strives for her students excellence through the sensitive use of her diverse teaching methods.”
~ Deirdre

“Ms Andrew had been my private voice lesson instructor for the past four years at the School of Music … She has shared her knowledge, support, kindness, and valuable time with the entire voice studio, regardless of musical skill level upon entry.  Her awareness and sensitivity to approaching each of her student’s individual needs is unmatched among her colleagues.  If a student demonstrates technical issues, problems understanding the musical materials they study, or issues communicating clearly and effectively in performance, Ms Andrew always suggests and demonstrates effective solutions.  She is always available to answer questions and concerns, no matter how busy her schedule, and has aided and supported me through numerous individual concerns, even outside of the academic year.  Ms Andrew demonstrates the most diverse, accommodating, and successful approach to vocal music education that I have ever experienced.  Without her guidance, knowledge and never-ending support, I would not be the student, vocalist, or person I am today.”
~ Angelica

“Not only has Lesley my colleagues and I with technique and singing, Lesley is excellent at teaching how to become a great vocal pedagogue.  She has been adamant  that every one of her students knows how to recognize a problem with vocal technique, how to diagnose the problem to a cause, and how to correct the problem.   Because of this, I feel I have the confidence to teach on my own.  Lesley Andrew has motivated me and all of her students in such a rich manner, I feel that because ahe is so passionate about our learning, it has made me more passionate about the craft of singing altogether.  Because of her caring nature and her persistence in ensuring we get the most information and resources from her as possible, I feel that I will benefit from and use her instruction for the rest of my life, no matter where I decide to go with my career.  I do not feel that I would be where I am today without the teachings of Ms Lesley Andrew.”
~ Celina

“I just wanted to say how much I appreciate everything you have done this semester!  Not only have you been an amazing teacher, you have also been an inspiration.  The second I met you, I couldn’t stop talking about how excited I was during lessons.  Your encouragement and guidance has helped me in so many ways. I feel honoured to have had the opportunity to study with a performer/teacher like yourself.  The passion, drive, and energy you bring to my lessons has given me a new outlook and determination.  You have truly had a great impact on my life.  Thanks for everything!!”
~ Melaina 

“Thank you so much for all your support and help through university.  You have no idea how much you changed my musical career and my voice.  You will forever be a part of my life, and I thank you for getting me where I am today.”
~ Meghan

“Thank you so much for everything this year.  You are an amazing teacher and talented performer, but you are so kind.  You’ve helped me out so much this year.  I couldn’t have done it without you.  Thank you!”
~ Tulin 

“Lesley, thank you for everything you’ve done over the semester – it was amazing to be taught by you.  I have definitely learned a lot and you have also helped with my confidence.”
~ Laura

“I really appreciate everything you’ve done for us in the studio.  I can’t tell you how much I enjoy working with you and how much I’ve improved since last year. PS  I listened to some clips of your CD on iTunes – FABULOUS!”
~ Brianna 

“Having begin my vocal studies in a different studio, I wish I had made the decision to switch studios much earlier than I did.  Since I started studying with Ms Andrew, my vocal ability has refined immensely.  I have learned many rules of singing that I previously did not know, or did not understand.  Ms Andrew does not simply give her students all the answers, she leads them to the answers within improves critical thought.  Her philosophy is to give students the tools they need to succeed.  She creates self-sufficient singers, and hopes that we will eventually replace her in the performances and teaching world.  Her hi* expectations of her students forces them to develop a good work ethic.  Ms Andrew encourages her students and gives them the confidence they need to succeed.  Having Ms Andrew as an instructor will instill a sense of pride in one’s work, critical thought, and set them up for success for the rest of their university and vocal career.”
~ Rachel

“I am so thrilled I got the opportunity to work with and learn from Lesley this semester. She is an excellent teacher and person!  Thank you for a great semester, Lesley!”

“Thank you for an amazing semester.  Your instruction was incredibly helpful and you will be missed.”

“You’re amazing!”

“Lesley is hilarious and extremely relatable!  Love her and wish she could stay longer with us.  Hire her, Western!”

“Lesley is great at offering new ways of thinking about techniques so that if one way doesn’t work you can learn in other ways.  I really appreciate her being able to pick up our studio this semester!”

“I wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your guidance and coaching. Thank you especially for your encouragement. Thank you for being an amazing teacher and a wonderful support to me during this whole process. I couldn’t have faced my fears and done anything of this without you.”
~Jessica

“I am so sorry to hear that you will not be returning in the fall. It was an absolute treat to meet you and have the chance to work with you. You taught me more about music than I ever thought I could know and through those skills, I have gained a confidence I did not know I had in something that absolutely terrified me. It was an honour to be taught by you. I learned more about music than I ever thought I would, which gave me so much confidence in this art.”
~ Samson

“I immensely enjoyed my year in the classroom with you (and) am disappointed to hear that you won’t be returning to the program. In my experience, you’re one of the few teachers who consistently holds everybody accountable for their work ethic, and demands people bring focus and willingness to work to each rehearsal session. As a student, your teaching of technical elements in reading music, and making them accessible, was invaluable to me. I don’t feel I have had such an affirming music experience in terms of growth and understanding as the one you provided me this year; finding the beats in the measures, clapping it out, speaking through the lyrics and beats, applying the elements of breath, clarity, story, text and intention – I did not have this awareness or practice approaching music before September, and I thank you for that.”
~ Barry

“I’m sorry to hear you are’t coming back next year! I really enjoyed the class and really felt myself growing in skill and confidence over the year. In fact, I brought all I learned to an audition for a semi-professional musical this summer and managed to land myself a role! I have no doubt that your teaching this year helped me in a major way.”
~Isaiah

“Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much. You have taught me more in music than any teacher has in the past. You have created a little spark in me in wanting to learn music. Thank you.”
~ Hannah

”It was a joy to work with you and I’m sad we don’t get to have you next year.”
~ Nastasia

“Thank you so much for everything! It was such a pleasure to get to work with you and I learned so many things I will take with me for the future.”
~ Tal

“I wanted to thank you for your guidance this year. It was my pleasure to work with you this year. I learned so much about the craft and through your tutorials on music theory before class. I’ve gained a new appreciation for music and composition, and feel the most confidence with my singing than I ever have. Because of your class, I felt confident enough to audition for musicals and this summer I’ll be in one as part of Theatre on the Ridge’s summer season! So thank you, Lesley.”
~ Jack

“Thank you for all you’ve taught us, Lesley! I’ve learned so ,such from you in the past year and I am very grateful to have had you as my teacher.”
~ Cait

“I’m sorry to hear you’re leaving! Thank you for all of your invaluable help, and for investing the time to teach me how to properly read music. I know it’s a valuable skill to have when I start working.”
~ Siobhan

“I was saddened to hear you are not coming back. Thank you for your kind words and the inspiring year. Thank you again for the music.”
~ Iris

“Thank you so much, Lesley. You’re a delightfully hard working instructor this past year. Yeah to you!”
~ Eric

“Thank you for all of your guidance this year. I had a blast working on our song together.”
~ Pascale

“Lesley Andrew is a compassionate and empathetic woman who puts the well-being of others before herself. My relationship began with Lesley over a year ago as Her voice student, and over this time She has made a major impact on my life. Outside of lessons She has become a mother figure to me who provides support and encouragement. I would be a different person today without her in my life.”
~ Jefferson

“I have had lessons from Lesley Andrew for just over two months, and I have nothing but positive comments about her and our classes. Lesley was very welcoming and kind when we first met, and her bubbly, friendly attitude made me feel confident and comfortable singing. Lesley taught me so much about singing that I had never thought about,such as the way I sound my consonants. She always connects what she teaches to things that are useful in day-to-day life, such as how to articulate well and even how to make dramatic choices when performing. Her voice is beautiful and she effortlessly accompanies all the pieces with her piano. Her exercises encourage using a healthy, clear voice and how to transition through notes and registers easily. She enthusiastically prints pages after pages of pieces and songs for me, and always reminds me that I should make my own decisions, and never be sorry or apologize for singing a note wrong. Lesley Andrews is a fantastic voice teacher who has opened a window into an amazing world of singing, and she has helped me so much in only 2 months. I am very excited to continue these incredible lessons with her, and learn even more from Lesley Andrew.”
~ Pauline

“I love to sing.  You have gevine (given) me a opertounaty (opportunity) to do it.  I love it and you are the Best singing techer (teacher) ever you have the best vose (voice) I have ever sine (seen) or harde (heard) I will go to Lesin’s (lessons) with you for as long as I’m here I jaut (just) can’t wate (wait) Intelle (until) the risitlle (recital).  Just so you know I love to sing with you.”
~  Ireland, age 5

“Ms Andrew, Thank you very much for giving me such great feedback!  The experience wouldn’t have been so great if it weren’t for you.”
~ Alysse, the girl in the polkadot dress