 Ben Leske was appointed Musical Director of the Melbourne Gay and Lesbian Youth Chorus (now known as shOUT) in 2009 and led the Youth Chorus until early 2015, for its first major performance, "The Sound of Youth ("2010), and during a period of significant growth in its membership.In November 2017, Ben graduated with a PhD in Music Therapy from the University of Melbourne.The focus of the PhD was choir leadership, inspired by his interest in the wellbeing of members of the Melbourne Gay and Lesbian Youth Chorus.