Apple Music

Composer and Pianist Alexis Ffrench is one of today’s most popular classical musicians. The host for Classical Connections Radio sat down with American harpsichordist and author Leslie Kwan to discuss her book " A IS FOR ARETHA” in 60 Second Sonata.

Available only on Apple Music.

November 2, 2024

The World of Interiors

TOUCHING TUNES

Designers are busy putting the final touches to this year’s WOW!house installations. Lending an ear is harpsichordist and arts executive Leslie Kwan, whose talent for turning texture into sound has let her unlock the inner feeling at the heart of each display

By Svetlana Nartey

May 10, 2023

Trilloquy Podcast

MOVEMENT THREE (52:30): Garrett McQueen Interviews Leslie Kwan

April 18, 2023

New York Family

14 Women’s History Month Books for All Ages

Infant to 3 years old

This ABC board book combines entertainment with education. A Is For Aretha celebrates Black women who have used music to encourage activism.

These women have used their platforms to create meaningful artistry that promotes self-love, respect, racial equality and more. Their creativity and joy radiates through these pages, so be sure to read it with your musical prodigy.

By Bailey Germain

March 8, 2023

School Library Journal

Making a Mark on Musical History: Flack, Franklin, and Beach | Biography Spotlight

What do Roberta Flack, Aretha Franklin, and Amy Cheney Beach have in common? They’re all groundbreaking women who made a mark on music history. Share these picture book biographies to inspire the next generation of talented performers.

March 3, 2023

Brightly | Raise kids who love to read

A IS FOR ARETHA

Kids’ Books About Legendary Black Artists in Music

February 2023

Live at Wigmore Hall

A IS FOR ARETHA

Join us as American harpsichordist and author Leslie Kwan and interviewer Linton Stephens discuss how these women, whose music encouraged joy and self-love, advocated for racial justice, buoyed civil rights protests, and trailblazed paths for Black creatives that are still felt to this day. Streamed live.

January 27, 2023

BBC Radio 3 Music Matters Tom Service sat down with American harpsichordist and author Leslie Kwan about her new book, A IS FOR ARETHA, which features 26 portraits of inspiration Black women in music.

January 23, 2023

Music Teacher Magazine The American harpsichordist, orchestra and creative wellness media company founder has now also turned author with A for Aretha, an ABC board book featuring 26 Black female musicians whose artistry and activism have made history. Hattie Fisk catches up with her to find out more.

January 1, 2023

Nina Simone playing piano; Odetta playing the guitar

CLASSIC FM ‘They would put white musicians on the cover’ – author spotlights music history’s trailblazing Black women.”

October 27, 2022

Great for all ages- baby shower through adult!
— Amazon

Early Music America:

Chatting with a keyboard master: James Nicolson

James Nicolson is an American harpsichordist and virginalist. The only child of Jamaican parents, he started piano lessons at the age of four and studied at the Howard University School of Music’s Junior Preparatory Department.

Nicolson was interviewed by Leslie Kwan.

March 2021

Early Music America:

Chatting with a keyboard master: James Nicolson

James Nicolson is an American harpsichordist and virginalist. The only child of Jamaican parents, he started piano lessons at the age of four and studied at the Howard University School of Music’s Junior Preparatory Department.

Nicolson was interviewed by Leslie Kwan.

March 2021

Early Music America

L’Académie at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute: An interview with Leslie Kwan

EMA Marketing and Public Relations Manager, Brandon Labadie, caught up with Leslie Kwan over the phone last February to discuss her work with her ensemble, L’Academie, in the Boston hospital system. Since 2012, L’academie has been presenting French Baroque music to the patients of Dana Faber Cancer Institute and has recently financial support for their outreach programs from the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Leslie gives EMA the story behind L’academie’s beginnings, how she feels the group’s music making has made an impact, and what other projects might be on the horizon.

April 2, 2015