Nancy Leatherdale was born in Vancouver in 1915. Throughout her life, music played a prominent role. Even while raising her family of four children, she studied to obtain a performers diploma in solo singing from the Trinity College of Music London. While in Vancouver she began teaching music and was active in the Vancouver Women’s Music Society.
In 1971 when she moved with her husband Ken to Salmon Arm, she began to host guest performers at “living room concerts” on her grand piano. Musical recitals were also a regular occurrence in their home. Nancy loved to teach and quickly acquired a full roster of students in voice and piano, ranging from beginners to full degree level coaching. She taught music for sixty years
She helped form the Shuswap Chapter of the B.C. Registered Music Teachers Association and was the local representative for the Royal Conservatory. As well, she joined forces with the Shuswap District Arts Council to raise funds for a grand piano to be used for community events.
Nancy continued to attend music workshops and learn from master teachers throughout her life. She eagerly attended the Shuswap Music Festival, appreciating the opportunity to listen to the adjudicator’s remarks. At the age of 80 she began cello lessons.
The scholarship established in her memory is meant to assist future performing students to continue their studies in music.