beginning in 2005. The "Distinguished Achievement in the Preservation of Irish Music and Culture" award came in 2009 from the international Irish music association. Since 2011, a Union County grant award has led to "Tunes and Tales of Old East Galway", a yearly standing-room-only event on the music of the Rafferty heritage. Lesl appeared at in 2010 with original Chieftains flutist Michael Tubridy and Msgr Fr. Charlie Coen. She appeared at the again in 2012. In October 2013 she presented the Mike Rafferty tribute at the Hurdy Gurdy Folk club in Fairlawn, NJ. Lesl serves as master for Irish flute apprentices in the NJ and Pennsylvania State Arts Councils. Flute and whistle tutoring is available from her home studio, and Lesl plays on the first Sunday of most months at the Irish session in Molly Maguire's pub and restaurant in Clark, NJ. Visitors are welcome to contact Lesl at

Mike Rafferty (flute).

Lesl plays a Patrick Olwell and a John Gallagher flute, and whistles by John Sindt and Michael Copeland.