Biography

Biography

English Version

JOSE LEONARDO LEON

BM FIU, MM University of Miami

PERFORMER

Born in Caracas, Venezuela. Bass trombonist and music educator Jose Leonardo Leon began playing trombone at the “Simon Bolivar” Youth Symphony Orchestras of Venezuela “El Sistema” with professors Antoine Duhamel, Jose Zerpa, and Jose Pardal. Jose Leon was one of eight fellows chosen by audition from the Carlos & Alegria Beracasa Foundation to participate in a two years program called Itinerant Conservatory where he received formal education in trombone techniques from renowned Soloists Michel Becquet (France) and Domingo Pagliuca (Venezuela). During 2001-04 seasons Jose was bass trombone substitute with the New World Symphony Orchestra in Miami, FL. He has been a participant in the Northwestern University Charles Vernon 2007-2008 Seminars held in Evanston, IL. In addition, Jose Leon has taken part of other festivals, seminars, master classes, and private lessons with professors such as Mark Hetzler, Charles Vernon, Hal Janks, John Marcellus, Joseph Alessi, Keith Brown, Ben Sluchin, Olaf Ott, and most recently with Tim Conner, Massimo La Rosa, Randy Hawes, and James Markey.

Mr. Leon has been the Bass trombonist with the Miami Symphony Orchestra (MISO) since his appointment in the 2007 season. Jose has performed as guest trombonist with different symphonic organizations such as the Bilbao Symphony Orchestra (Spain), the Palm Beach Opera Orchestra, The Florida Grand Opera, the Atlantic Classical Orchestra, Symphony of the Americas, the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Venezuela, and the Orquesta Sinfónica of Venezuela among others. His versatility as a commercial bass and tenor trombonist has given him the opportunity to participate in live performances and recording sessions with jazz and commercial artists such as Arturo Sandoval, Ed Calle’s Big band, the Manhattan Transfer, producers Mike Lewis, Marcos Campos Salas, singers Nancy Reed, Dee Daniels, Maureen McGovern, Maelo Ruiz, Eugenia Mendez, and most recently with trombonist Wycliffe Gordon, and singers Michael Feinstein, Ann Hampton Callaway , Nicole Henry, and Broadway "Glee" star Idina Menzel. Among different orchestras and large ensembles, Jose Leon has performed with the Bob Hoose’s Orchestra, Dan Salmasian’s Band, the Palm Beach Pops Orchestra, the Florida Sunshine Pops, the FIU Jazz Band under directors Richard Dunscomb and Chip McNeal, Los Adolescent’s Orchestra, Manuel Guerra, and Salserin, and most recently with the multi-Grammy nominated Miami based "Tiempo Libre", and the South Florida Jazz Orchestra among others. Most Recently, Jose Leonardo Leon has been appointed the bass trombonist for the 2010-2011 season of the multi awarded University of Miami Concert Jazz Band under the direction of trombonist Dante Luciani.

Jose L. Leon has participated as a performer in different music festivals and events such as the Chicago Midwest Clinic accompanying clarinetist Eddie Daniels and trumpeter Bobby Shew, the Elkhart Jazz Festival, the Hollywood Jazz Festival, Festival Miami, and the FIU Music Festival 2005 in which he performed, together with trombonists Mike Zion and Steve Rivero, the South Florida premier of Michael Daugherty’s “Rosa Parks Boulevard” for three trombones and wind ensemble.

Jose Leonardo Leon received a Festival Donors Scholarship to obtain his Bachelors degree in Music Performance at the Florida International University from the trombone studio of Empire Brass trombonist Mark Hetzler. Jose Leon received a scholarship award from the Frost School of Music which has allowed him to earn the degree of Master's of Music Performance and Brass Pedagogy with Honors in trombone at the University of Miami.

MUSIC EDUCATOR/CLINICIAN

As a dynamic, diverse musician, Mr. Leon enjoys a dual career as a performer and an educator. Jose Leonardo Leon is a Professional Florida Department of Education Certified K-12 Music Educator and Band Director. Mr. Leon is currently the Brass Faculty for the Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Brass with the Greater Miami Youth Symphony (GMYS). He is also the Brass Faculty for the GMYS Advance, Intermediate, and Beginning Summer Camps since 2007. Most recently, Jose Leon has been appointed Low Brass Faculty for the Performing Arts Program at the prestigious SAINT ANDREWS SCHOOL in Boca Raton, FL As an employee of the Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Jose Leonardo Leon has been theDirector of Bands of the Upper Academy Division at Winston Park K-8 Center and the Music Teacher and Choir Director at Mae M. Walters Elementary School. Mr. Leon has been also the symphonic wind ensembles, Marching, and jazz bands coach for other schools such as the South West Senior High School, South Dade SHS, Palmetto Middle School, and Lake Worth High School in Lake Worth, FL, among others. Most Recently, through formal invitation from the Federal Department of Cultural Arts of Mexico and the prestigious chamber ensemble, Germany based, "The Bolivar Soloists", Jose L. Leon has participated as Trombone/Brass Faculty for the Carlos Chavez Youth Symphony Orchestra National System of Mexico "Academic Week", in which he imparted private lessons, Master Classes, orchestra brass sectionals, coached Low Brass Ensemble and large brass choir, concert and recital, among other educational activities. At the same time, Jose Leon enjoys having a private studio of trombone, trumpet, tuba, and euphonium students from the Elementary, Middle, High school and Freshman College ages in which young musicians obtain, in close detail, the knowledge needed in order to achieve the highest musical level on their instruments.

With the guidance of Mr. Leon, his students have mastered many achievements such as District and State Evaluations Superior Grades, All County and All State Bands, New World Symphony side-by-side concerts, University of Miami Honors Band, Major College Scholarships and Performing Arts High Schools acceptances, among others.

Prior to coming to the U.S, Jose L. Leon was a trombone teacher and Brass coach at the “Centro Academico” Montalban within the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra System “El Sistema” in his native Venezuela.

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