Having grown up on a small farm in southwestern Minnesota, Charlie Leftridge spent his childhood deeply immersed in both nature and the rural church. In this way, Leftridge developed a love for both natural aesthetics and hymnody—these elements color much of his unique compositional voice. Leftridge's music is largely written for choral and chamber ensembles, often setting his own original text.

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Leftridge received his Masters of Music in Music Composition from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. Prior to that, he studied at Concordia College, performing with the Concordia Choir, under the direction of Dr. René Clausen, and received his Bachelors in Music from Dickinson State University, under guidance of Dr. Bruce Southard.

Leftridge’s works have been performed all over the nation, most recently by Musicorum—Mankato, Minnesota's premier community choir—under the direction of Dr. Brandon Dean. Other notable performances of Leftridge's work include premieres by the MNSU Chamber Singers, under the direction of David Dickau; the Kansas City VITAs, under the direction of Jackson Thomas; the Esoterics, under the direction of Dr. Eric Banks; and the Salt Creek Song Festival.

Leftridge currently serves as the Executive Director of the Carnegie Art Center and the Director of Music and Worship at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, both in Mankato, Minnesota. He is also a grant-writing consultant with a special interest in promoting working artists and community connection in Greater Minnesota.