Episode 01: Getting the Song Out with Leslie Uyeda

This week we are talking to Vancouver-based composer, Leslie Uyeda. Leslie has had a busy and full career as a vocal coach, repetiteur, and opera conductor for many years before immersing herself fully in composition.  WOV member Kathryn Tremills first discovered her when one of her students sang the song cycle into the shimmering: An eerie thought-provoking, evocative and moving group of songs. This was the first time WOV met Leslie and here is our conversation with her!

 Audio Excerpts:

1. White Cat Blues, I., by Leslie Uyeda. Performed by Robyn Driedger-Klassen and Terence Dawson.
2. “Solana’s Song” from When the Sun Comes Out, by Leslie Uyeda. Performed by Teiya Kasahara and Rachel Kiyo Iwaasa.

Other repertoire we talked about:

1. The sex lives of vegetables by Leslie Uyeda. 
   • Volume 1
   • Volume 2
   • Volume 3
2. Sakura Songs by Leslie Uyeda
3. Empress Jito Dances, by Leslie Uyeda; chamber work for string quartet, erhu, shō, santur and percussion (woodblock)

Artists you should check out:

• Teiya Kasahara 笠原貞野
• Barbara Hannigan
• Lorna Crozier
• Joy Kagawa

To learn more about Leslie Uyeda:

• Visit: http://www.leslieuyeda.com/
• Listen: https://soundcloud.com/leslieuyeda
• All of Leslie’s scores can be purchased through the Canadian Music Centre