Resume

Summary

Wayne Leechford is a multi-instrumental professional musician and music instructor with over twenty years of performing experience and over ten years of teaching experience. He is committed to excellence in teaching his students the fundamentals of music while helping them master their instruments. He teaches music to a culturally diverse group of students with varying levels of proficiency. His performing skills are in demand and he is booked on average more than 100 dates per year. He is also skilled in web design and recording, producing, and marketing music.

Employment

Musician Contracting, Durham Performing Arts Center, Durham, NC 2008 - Present
-Hire musicians for touring Broadway productions and other live music events

Music Instruction, Wayne Leechford Music Studio, Raleigh, NC, 1995 - Present
-Instruct all ages and levels of students in saxophone, clarinet, flute, guitar/bass guitar, and Chapman Stick performance.
-Prepare music students for recitals, competitions, and college auditions.
-Direct/conduct performing student saxophone and clarinet ensembles.
-Give master classes and coach instrumental sectionals.

Music Instruction, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 2006 - Present
-Instruct music minor students in saxophone performance.
-Prepare music minor students for juries and recitals.

Music Instruction, Ravenscroft School, Raleigh, NC, 2003 - Present
-Instruct grades 4-12 students in saxophone and clarinet performance.
-Direct/conduct performing student saxophone and clarinet ensembles.
-Prepare music students for juries, recitals, and auditions.

Music Instruction, Shaw University, Raleigh, NC, 1998 - 2001
-Instructed music major and non-major college students in saxophone performance.
-Prepared music major students for juries and recitals.

Music Instruction, Cary School of Music, Cary, NC, 1997 - 2004
-Instructed all ages and levels of students in saxophone, clarinet, and bass guitar performance.
-Directed and conducted performing student saxophone ensembles.

Accomplishments

• Extensive performance experience with top ensembles including the New Century Saxophone Quartet, North Carolina Wind Orchestra, North Carolina Jazz Repertory Orchestra, Raleigh Symphony, Tar River Orchestra, Orquesta GarDel, and North Carolina Theatre.
• Performances with nationally touring artists including The Four Tops, The Temptations, The Coasters, Clay Aiken, Regis Philbin, Susan Lucci, Lorna Luft, Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons, Harry James Orchestra, and The Cab Calloway Orchestra.
• Performed on recordings for Warner Brothers, Discovery Health Channel, North Carolina State University,
  and South Carolina Public Radio.
• Performed for President Bill Clinton at the White House.
• Private students grades 6-12 have placed 1st chair in Wake County All-County, North Carolina Central All- District, and North Carolina All-State competitions. Other student accomplishments include North Carolina All-State Jazz Band, Interlochen Music Camp, Second Marine Aircraft Wing Band Solo Competition, and Honor Band of America. Also, music major acceptance at UNC-Chapel Hill, UNC-Greensboro, UNC-Charlotte, Appalachian State University, University of Georgia, East Carolina University, and George Mason University.
• Participated in judging Wake County All-County Band Auditions, 1998-2004.
• Taught as guest instructor at Durant Middle School, East Millbrook Middle School, Apex Middle School, Cary High School, Fuquay-Varina High School, Athens Drive High School, Green Hope High School, Middle creek High School, Franklin Academy, Timothy's-Hale School, Durham School of the Arts, North Carolina School of Science and Math, and Saint Augustine's College.
• Served on the North Carolina Wind Orchestra Board of Directors, 2002-2004.
• Founded Flat Five Records, Inc. and released several internationally acclaimed recordings.
• Received Career Development Grant from the North Carolina School of the Arts.
• Finalist at the Coleman and Carmel Chamber Music Competitions in California.
• Studied saxophone with James Houlik, James Kalyn, Stephen Pollock, and Ron Rudkin at NCSA.
• Studied clarinet with Michael Cyzewski - Assistant Principal, North Carolina Symphony.
  
• Attended jazz master classes with Jamey Aebersold, David Baker, Jerry Coker, Eric Alexander, Joe Henderson, Lenny Pickett, Jim Snidero, and Denis Diblasio.
  

  Education & Training

North Carolina School of the Arts, Winston-Salem, NC
MM, Saxophone Performance, 1997
BM, Saxophone Performance, 1995

North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
BA, Business Management, Fine Arts Studies Minor, 1992

University of Delaware, Newark, DE
IAJE (International Association for Jazz Education) Teacher Training Institute, 2006

University of Louisville, Louisville, KY
Jamey Aebersold's Summer Jazz Workshop, 2005- 2006

North Carolina State University Computer Training Unit, Raleigh, NC
Webmaster Certificate with a concentration in Design and Media, 2001

Organizational Affiliations

American Federation of Musicians - Local 500
North American Saxophone Alliance
The National Flute Association
The International Clarinet Association
Theater Musicians Association
BMI