For Shante Leslie, Wittenberg class of 2022, tapping into music is her therapy.

Recent recipient of the Ohio Federation of Music Clubs’ Agnes Fowler Scholarship, Leslie plays the cello and sings in the Wittenberg Choir and the Imani Gospel Choir.

Named after long-time teacher and benefactor Agnes Fowler, the scholarship provides $1,200 to a student majoring in music, strong in performance, and proficient on at least one instrument or in voice.

“I am completely honored to have received this award,” said Leslie, who is from Bowie, Maryland.  “I was surprised, as I hadn't heard of the scholarship, but to be recognized for musical accomplishments is really encouraging, and to be associated with such a valuable teacher and mentor as Agnes Fowler is truly an honor. Playing the cello and singing allows me to feel so free, and my music professors here at Witt have been so influential in my growth as a musician. It's really fun, and most of the time after a long hard day, tapping into my music is a relief. That’s how I've always wanted music to be, and I'm grateful for that.”

She is also the recipient of the Broadwell Chinn Endowed Achievement Award, recently announced at this year's Honors Convocation on April 8, in historic Weaver Chapel.

Her Wittenberg Experience

“The biggest thing for me and my experiences at Wittenberg is feeling challenged musically, and I've been challenged from beginning to end. Pushing myself to be better than I was in the previous week, and finding a personal connection to everything I sing or play has inspired so much personal growth. Not only in my one-on-one lessons, but even the ensembles I've participated in have pushed me to be bigger and better as a musician.

“College requires a great deal of multitasking, as I'm currently learning right now. It's not going to be easy, and it hasn't been easy. But keeping my goals in mind, and pushing myself to keep going has really kept me afloat. Every job, ensemble, and class that I've taken has shaped me, in a bad way or in a good way, and I'm taking every bit of it in to learn.”

What the Future Holds

“To be completely honest, I don't have a solid plan post-graduation and that's okay. The work I've done at Wittenberg has opened my mind to new horizons and opportunities, so I've got a lot to figure out. I've been looking at music therapy, since so much of my musical experiences here have really gotten me through rough times. We will see what the future holds!”

Leslie directed the Imani Gospel Choir for this year’s Lessons & Carols for Advent and Christmas and is now spending the semester doing an internship this spring through the Lutheran College Washington Semester (LCWS) program in Washington, D.C. Her internship is with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, where she is assisting with event planning and organizing auditions for various performances.

Shante Leslie ’22
Hometown and state: Bowie, Maryland
Major: Music
Activities at Wittenberg: Wittenberg Choir, Imani Gospel Choir, Honors Program, plays the cello and sings.