Leslie Nye comes from a family with a strong musical legacy, with her father being a talented flautist, as well as her first cousin being Les Brown, from the legendary Les Brown and his Band of Renown. Her fondest memories of growing up involve musical performance and wonderful friendships and camaraderie with her fellow band members. Leslie has always had a love of music, along with her seven brothers and sisters, who also played multiple instruments. She began playing oboe at age 11 in the Folsom-Cordova School District, known for its excellent school and summer band instrumental music program. As a young oboist, Leslie quickly became proficient on the oboe, practicing diligently for 1-2 hours per day. When she auditioned for the Rancho Cordova Elementary Honor Band, she earned the highest score for all students auditioning, as well as the only musician achieving a perfect score.

Leslie went on to learn saxophone (tenor and alto) for both junior high and high school stage band, as well as dabbling on the C flute, but has also been known to play bells and bass drum in marching band. One of the highlights of Leslie's musical career during high school was in 1973. She and her band members were asked to choose between buying new marching band uniforms for the marching band or taking a three week musical concert tour of Europe. Leslie was the only band member voting for the new uniforms. Cordova High School Symphonic Band was highly acclaimed throughout the State of California and they were chosen to attend the prestigious Berlin Music Festival. So in 1973, after helping to raise $45,000 with car washes and chocolate sales, she and 65 other high school symphonic band members embarked on a 3-week European tour, with concerts in England, Scotland, Belgium, France and Germany. One of the highlights of this whirlwind tour was playing the "Hogan's Hero's March" for the (then communist) East Berlin Mayor on the steps of the East Berlin Townhall. The political irony of this song was lost on the mayor, but the students in the band enjoyed every second!

After high school, Leslie dropped out of music, but always missed the joy of playing in a musical group, as well as the fun and camaraderie of being in a band. After 32 years, she is honored and delighted to be playing oboe with the Sacramento Symphonic Winds and very happy to be back in the musical performance scene.

Leslie holds a BS in Psychology and MS in Career Counseling from CSUS. She is also a Master Certified Graphoanalyst (handwriting expert) and is a noted speaker and trainer for the International Graphoanalysis Society. In 2006, she was awarded Graphoanalyst of the Year. Leslie is married and has two adult daughters who continue to inspire her towards new goals. She works as a career counselor, Graphoanalyst and recruiter in her own business, Incite.