Journal of Singing Associate Editor

Language and Diction: Leslie De’Ath

Leslie De'Ath is a Canadian vocal coach, pianist, and conductor. He is Professor in the Faculty of Music at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario, where he has taught since 1979. There he is Music Director of the Opera Program, teaches studio piano, and instructs performance literature and diction courses. His research interests, in addition to lyric diction and phonology, focus on unusual vocal and piano repertoire.

He is presently at work on research/recording projects of the complete piano music of Cyril Scott (on the Dutton Epoch label) and Florent Schmitt. Mr. De'Ath is the regular keyboard player with the Canadian Chamber Ensemble and the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, and has been a featured soloist with both groups on many occasions—in concert, on tour, and on CD. He has had a wide-ranging career as a vocal accompanist, chamber player, and vocal concert series administrator.