Autobiography

 

Lesley Suzanne (Shaw) was born in South Wales. At 16 she won a scholarship to study at the Welsh College of Music and Drama, then a further scholarship from the South Wales Young Musicians Fund to study classical singing and piano at the Royal Academy of Music, London. 

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Having started out singing light opera and cabaret, Lesley decided to change paths and started to write musical comedy with her co-writer Andrea Cooper.  Her first foray into this realm led her to forming an all female comedy group called "Going South", who performed at the Brighton and Guildford Fringes (to name just 2) three years on the trot, The Final of UK's Funniest Woman Awards, Brighton Open Air Theatre and a number of other established venues.

 

Lesley is now pursuing a solo comedy career, delivering her sharp wit on subjects as far and wide as technology, the menopause and pitfalls of middle age dating.

 

Lesley is a highly experienced singing coach. Her inspirational style of teaching has won her many accolades, and has led to many of her pupils reaching particularly high standards, including West End lead roles. Her tutees included the Winslet sisters, Juliette and Sophie Caton. She delivers masterclasses and hosts vocal workshops.

Lesley also taught her daughter Naomi, who is a successful soloist, song writer and producer.

 

Alongside her teaching, Lesley is a musical director to several choirs. Although she continues to perform herself in a variety of settings and styles, including as a solo classical artist. Some of her performance highlights include performing for the Duchess of York, and touring the UK with an ice show which culminated in a performance alongside Torvill and Dean (on ice herself!).

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She has given performances all over the UK and Canada, working alongside a number of well known names including Joanna Lumley, Richard Briers, Ian Ogilvy, Peter Egan, Tilly Gaunt, Penny Smith, Anthony Valentine and Simon Williams.

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