
ABOUT THE OWNER
A seasoned performer, enthusiastic educator, and experienced reedmaker, Leslie Godfrey holds both a bachelor's and master's degree in oboe performance from Mason Gross School of the Arts (Rutgers University), where she studied with Matt Sullivan. She has performed in China, as well as several countries in Europe, and has given numerous American premieres of pieces by British composers. She has done extensive research in the world of electronic and contemporary music, and has performed works for oboe and CD, as well as improvisatory works for oboe and delay system. She is an active freelance musician in the tri-state area and can often be heard playing oboe in opera orchestras, chamber ensembles, solo recitals, and local orchestras. In addition, she often provides cocktail piano music for township events and gallery openings.
As an educator, Leslie is on faculty at New Jersey City University (NJCU), where she teaches oboe lessons and music history classes, and Essex County College, where she teaches music appreciation classes. Leslie is also the founder and facilitator of ECOrhythms, an environmentally-friendly drum circle program, and she develops and organizes drumming and music programs for community events. Leslie is a certified personal trainer (ISSA-CPT), a Barre Above Level 2 certified instructor, and also runs Hey Sunshine Fitness, an online barre subscription site.
Leslie has been teaching oboe and piano lessons for over fifteen years, and has years of experience making and selling reeds. Her equipment includes a Reeds n' Stuff / Hodge gouging machine, a Reeds n' Stuff shaping machine, and Gilbert -1, Gilbert 1, Joshua +2, and Caleb shaper templates.
ABOUT THE STUDIO
Happy Bamboo Music Studio provides oboe and piano lessons to students of all ages and abilities. Students have ranged from 3 to 80+ years old, and Leslie strives to accommodate each student's unique learning style and musical goals.
Please note: all lessons will be virtual (on Zoom or FaceTime).
Lessons at Happy Bamboo Music Studio are fun, flexible, and student-focused. Some students are join the studio to learn more about music and increase their skills, while others want to be competitive musicians and college music majors.


TESTIMONIALS
"Leslie is a wonderful teacher who inspires me to practice every day. Learning how to play piano makes me believe I can learn to do anything." ~J (Happy Bamboo student, 10 years old)
"She is a very talented musician and teacher, and is great with kids. Happy Bamboo is so welcoming and Leslie always treats her students like family." ~S (Happy Bamboo parent)
"She is very knowledgeable, patient, and understanding. If you are looking for a music teacher, then try Happy Bamboo... I guarantee that you'll love it." ~E (Happy Bamboo student)
"My oldest studied with Leslie for 6 years on piano. Leslie kept it fun but made sure to challenge him the entire time. We have moved away but he still plays and has a passion for music cultivated at Happy Bamboo. Leslie is especially great with young kids (she brought out talent in my extremely shy niece) with her special approach to teaching. Highly recommend." ~N (Happy Bamboo parent)