Born in Philadelphia, Leslie Malmed Macêdo received her formal education at NYU’s Gallatin School where she studied World Music and International Politics. Upon completion of her studies, she joined the staff of World Music Institute and also began studying Afro-Brazilian music, dance, martial arts. Over the 10 years that she served on WMI’s staff, Leslie was involved in all aspects of the company’s operations, but the majority of her time there was spent as the Manager of Touring and Special Projects. In this position, Leslie programmed, booked and coordinated tours of artists from all over the world for performances throughout the United States and Canada as well as an educational series at the Juilliard School and Baruch College. These tours featured world-class artists ranging from the Grammy winning groups Masters of Persian Music, Ghazal and legendary Indian percussionist Zakir Hussain to world renowned Middle Eastern violin master Simon Shaheen. She was also part of the curatorial team that co-produced the sacred music and dance festival for the Cultural Olympiad in Greece.
Having left WMI in 2008, Leslie joined the staff of Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana as their Executive Director. Over the three years that she served the company in this position, she developed their board of directors, spearheaded a database and individual giving project, reorganized their finances and administrative functions and opened their two dance studios. Simultaneously, she became more heavily involved in the field of dance by serving on the Board of Directors of Dance/USA.
Together with master percussionist Dendê, Leslie co-founded Mamadêlê Productions, a company that arranges performances, educational programs and travel that present the music, dance and martial arts of Bahia, Brazil. Through Mamadêlê she has managed their performing groups who have toured both nationally and internationally at venues and festivals such as the Cultural Olympiad in Greece, the Juilliard School, the Peabody Institute at John's Hopkins and Symphony Space. As a musician, she performs Afro-Brazilian percussion and vocals with the group Dendê & Band who have appeared in performances at SOBs, Joe's Pub, the Lake Eden Arts Festival, the Kalalu Festival and Cornell and Princeton Universities among many others. Their music appeared in the soundtrack for the TV show "Mama Mirabelle" which was produced by National Geographic. Their latest album, "Bahia de Todos os Santos" was released in March 2010.
Leslie joined the staff of Dance Theatre Etcetra in August 2011 and is excited to be a part of the DTE team!
