Rising Stars: Meet Cynthia Slee of National

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cynthia Slee.

Hi Cynthia, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve had a lot of interruptions in my life, but I can’t quit music. It’s in my DNA. I learned to play guitar at the age of twelve and had dreams of being a rock star in my late teens. My parents, however, had other ideas for me. They said I needed to go to college and get a real job. One that paid me well. So I put my dreams on hold. I received my degree in nursing from the University of Toledo and spent most of my career at The Toledo Hospital in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) . But the music bug was still itching and scratching.

I commenced my professional music career as the lead singer, guitarist, and co-songwriter for the popular Toledo, Ohio-based rock group The StatBand, along with fellow RN Theresa Konwinski. The StatBand is best known for the song “State Street” which placed in the top 10% of submissions to the 1988 KFC Songwriting contest, received an honorable mention among a wide field of participants.  I went on to perform and write songs for a contemporary Christian group, Aarons Rod and All About Him, contributing my songwriting skills to each group and their albums. I went solo in 2012 with the release of my album Small Town World in 2014 and Falling Together in 2016. My original song Happy As A Jaybird, from the album Small Town World was placed in a Canadian TV series, Ruby & The Well. Music was always my side hustle.

At the height of my career as a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit nurse, while simultaneously building my musical career, my life changed in an instant with a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. After years of trials, treatments, and setbacks, I emerged stronger and more resilient. I transformed this adversity into a renewed purpose.

Unable to continue my job as a registered nurse due to the physicality of it I set out to make music my front hustle by learning as much as I could about producing my own music and setting up a home recording studio. I then took a three and a half year Production Music Masterclass and started placing instrumental albums and singles into major music libraries like Warner Chappel PM, for use in advertising, film and TV. I would not have even thought about doing this had I not been diagnosed with MS. In many ways M.S was a gift. It changed my life in more ways than one.

I transformed this adversity into a renewed purpose, using my story to motivate and empower others. I started honing my speaker skills with my mentor Tiamo DeVittori and Toastmasters International. A bold step for a shy girl from Ohio! I officially opened for business in 2025 with CLS Keynote Concerts. My topic is The Unexpected Power Of Adversity. I incorporate life stories, education and original music to create a unique keynote experience that leaves audiences with meaningful takeaways.
My next speech will be given on June 16, 2026 when I speak to The Women’s Veterans Initiative in Toledo.

You can learn more about me at https://www.clskeynoteconcerts.com

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Life after my diagnosis of MS was not smooth. Fear of the unknown was overwhelming. I worked with babies! I knew nothing about MS at the time. There were no meds for MS until 1993 when the first injectable drug for RRMS hit the market. I was put on the med in 1995 and quickly fell into a deep dark depression that nearly took my life.

Almost as hard as receiving the diagnosis of MS was losing my identity as a nurse. Due to the physicality of my job I was unable to continue. So not just the loss of my identity but the loss of income.

MS itself affects my right side making walking difficult. I was told by a well meaning doctor I’d be in a wheelchair within 5 years of my diagnosis but here I am 36 years later, no wheelchair. Did I mention I’m a stubborn redhead? His words spurred me on to create an exercise program for myself that I still do to this day.

Challenges for speaking includes the fact that MS causes fatigue. But I’ve adapted. I use a cane. I sit on a comfortable stool. I pace myself.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I believe I put a lot of my creative side in the About section so I won’t repeat it here. But I am most proud of the fact that I kept moving forward, reinventing myself after I could no longer continue my nursing career.

What sets me apart from other speakers is my vulnerability. I lay all the good, the bad, the ugly, and the humor out there for all to see. I perform original songs specifically written to enhance the stories.

As an artist I am most proud of my original instrumental music placements in major music libraries such as Warner Chappell Production Music. My songs have been played all over the world behind commercials, and sporting events.

I have a new album coming out in June called Simple Things. This is the first album I produced on my own, in my own studio, using the skills I learned after my diagnosis.

How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Contact me at clskeynoteconcerts@gmail if you have a group or organization that you’d like me to speak to.

I am always up for collaborating with like minded artists.

I am also available to help bring your song to life with recording and production.

Support me with prayer if so inclined.

Support me by
Purchasing my new album Simple Things https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/8USPQ53CEY6AA

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Pricing:

• Speaking (contact for pricing)
• production starting @ $1199.00

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.clskeynoteconcerts.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthia-slee-b29b83202/
• Other: https://www.cindysleemusic.com