Lesley Barber

Lesley Barber is an acclaimed composer whose work transcends genres and elevates narratives with her masterful scores. Known for her poignant music in Kenneth Lonergan's Oscar-nominated film Manchester by the Sea and the critically-acclaimed "You Can Count on Me," Barber's contributions to film and TV music are nothing short of exceptional.

Barber's artistic excellence and innovative approach to music composition continue to set her apart, with scores that not only complement but profoundly enhance the stories told on screen, leaving an indelible mark on audiences worldwide.

She composed the music for Jerry Rothwell's award-winning documentary "How To Change The World", Patricia Rozema's "Mansfield Park", Mira Nair's Golden Globe-winning "Hysterical Blindness" Mary Harron's "Moth Diaries", the beloved children's classic "Little Bear" with Maurice Sendak, and "Yo-Yo Ma: Six Gestures." Other recent projects additionally showcase her versatility and breadth as a composer, including "Late Night" directed by Nisha Ganatra, Mindy Kaling's "Four Weddings and a Funeral" Hulu series, "American Woman" produced by Killer Films, Stephanie Laing's "Irreplaceable You", Haifaa al-Mansour's "Nappily Ever After", the star-studded "Maybe I Do", the documentary "Diane Warren: Relentless", and Durga Chew-Bose's "Bonjour Tristesse", to name a few.

Selected scores across film, television, and documentary.

• Manchester by the Sea
• You Can Count on Me
• Late Night
• Bonjour Tristesse
• How To Change The World
• Mansfield Park
• Hysterical Blindness
• The Moth Diaries
• Little Bear
• Yo-Yo Ma: Six Gestures
• Irreplaceable You
• Maybe I Do
• Diane Warren: Relentless

Barber's multifaceted talent as a multi-instrumentalist, conductor, pianist, and producer is reflected in her compositions, which are characterized by their intellectual sophistication and emotional resonance. Her adept use of modern electronic programming, loops, and effects adds a unique dimension to her work, resulting in hybrid scores that are both atmospheric and richly orchestrated. Barber's rare ability to highlight the essential elements of a scene help realize the vision of the director while steering clear of clichés, making her scores indispensable.

As distinguished member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences since 2016, Barber was recently re-elected to represent the Music Branch on its Board of Governors. A proud and proactive member of the Alliance for Women Film Composers, she is a vocal advocate for diversity in the film industry, contributing significantly to the ongoing conversation about inclusion and representation in the arts.