Leonardo D
Instruments: Piano, Guitar, Voice, Trumpet, Trombone, Saxophone, Clarinet, French Horn, Piccolo
Styles: Classical, Pop, Rock, Musical Theater, Showtunes, New Age, Marching Band
Leonardo D
Instruments: Piano, Guitar, Voice, Trumpet, Trombone, Saxophone, Clarinet, French Horn, Piccolo
Styles:
Classical, Pop, Rock, Musical Theater, Showtunes, New Age, Marching Band
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 13-80
- NJ & CA Music K-12 Certification
- B.A. Music Performance (Voice) with Minor in Piano & French Horn
- Active Member of NAfME
I am currently employed in East County as the choral and band director for an incredible middle school. Before that I was the director of music, bands, choirs, and performing arts in Harrison, New Jersey, right outside New York City. I have a Bachelor of Music and Theatre Arts from New Jersey City University where I also performed as a graduate student enrolled in Music Education with a concentration in French Horn Studies.My pedagogy in both instrumental and vocal studies has allowed me to bring a unique and diverse perspective in the both vocal and instrumental ensembles. My classical training and my musical theatre career has given me the opportunity to experience the vocal repertoire in a variety of styles ranging from Mozart’s traditional pieces, to Eric Whitacre ’s atonal choral pieces, to Latin rhythms, and Bernstein’s theatrical scores.
My experience as a musical theatre performer both onstage and in the pit, have given me many useful and resourceful teaching methods that have allowed a humble program in an urban district to blossom and thrive. In five years, the chorus of 18 singers reading lyrics sheets, has performed as guests throughout Hudson County and returned to the Teen Arts Festival with repertoire such as Mozart’s Ave Verum, Dan Davidson’s Ritmo, and several contemporary pieces. Our former students have gone onto win the Governors Award for Musical Theatre Performance, Tisch School for Performing Arts, and Westminster Choir College.
While at Harrison High School & Washington Middle school, I implemented an after-school academy for the performing arts, which includes: a dance program, jazz vocals, musical theatre lab, and a Finale writing program which our students use state of the art equipment to write and record their own material. Our students have sung alongside the NJ Youth Choir and Schola Cantorum on Hudson in New York City and throughout Hudson County.
My vocal methods are rooted in bel canto style with a strong Melocchi technique using standard repertoire from art songs to stage to develop any voice in preparation for various styles of song. My goal is to help my students go from a singer to a vocalist so that they understand their instrument to be able to create any music as needed.
As a piano method I draw from the FABER & FABER method books in addition to online repertoire resources from the standard piano literature varying in styles and difficulties from classical to the four chord structures used in many of today's popular songs and arrangements.
My experiences in and out of the classroom continuously pushes me to evolve my philosophy and teaching style. Music is not just about singing or playing the right notes and lyrics. It is about making connections from most personal experiences through the most universal language. This is the kind of experience I hope to share with my students through music in a safe, challenging, and creative environment. It doesn’t matter whether students are seasoned musicians or first-time singers. I look to continually challenge my students and inspire them to grow regardless of their ability
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