Mr. Michael J. Leonas, Music Specialist and Choir Director
Mr. Michael J. Leonas received his Master of Music Education degree from VanderCook College of Music (2013). He also holds a degree from Syracuse University (2011). Leonas received his Kodály Teacher Certification from Southern Methodist University (Level 1 & 2), where he studied with the world-renown Ms. Lenke Igó of the Kodály Pedagogical Institute (Budapest). Leonas completed Level 3 at DePaul University. Leonas also received his Level 1 Orff-Schulwerk from VCM.
Leonas currently resides in Denton, Texas teaching K-5 Elementary Music, Choir, & Mariachi at Ginnings Elementary in Denton Independent School District. He was the Fine Arts Council Representative for Elementary Music where he advocated elementary curriculum and instruction. His Choirs received Superior ratings from numerous Festivals across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. In 2019, his choir was crowned "Grand Champions" at the NRH20 Music Festival in North Richland Hills, Texas where his 4th/5th grade choir was in the same division as other elementary and middle school choirs. This year Leonas was awarded Teacher of the Year at Ginnings Elementary for his dedication and leadership. Leonas was also a Quarterfinalist of the 2020 GRAMMY Music Educator Award as he was one of the 180 finalists with over 3,300 nominations.
Before Denton, Leonas taught in Dallas, Texas teaching PreK-5 Elementary Music, Middle School Choir, and Beginning Band. Through the extensive training from VanderCook College of Music, Leonas was able to develop an elementary music curriculum and begin an instrumental program at his campus. In 2016, his Varsity Mixed Choir received the recognition of Grand Champion & Most Outstanding Choir of the Day at the Sandy Lake Music Festival. In the same year, Leonas founded the West Dallas Youth Men’s Choir, a vocal ensemble for Latino youth in the western neighborhoods of Dallas. The ensemble was created to promote the advancement of young Latinos in the field of Music Education; developing as musicians through comprehensive, bilingual choral education.
Leonas has led professional development workshops in Dallas and Denton ISD in Elementary Music focusing on Kodály Pedagogy and Curriculum. In 2014, he was awarded the Kodály Educators of Texas Award. Leonas was the Secretary of the Region 2 Texas Music Educators Association and is an active member of the Kappa Kappa Psi Alumni Association and the North Texas Chapter of the Organization of American Kodály Educators.
Leonas currently resides in Denton, Texas teaching K-5 Elementary Music, Choir, & Mariachi at Ginnings Elementary in Denton Independent School District. He was the Fine Arts Council Representative for Elementary Music where he advocated elementary curriculum and instruction. His Choirs received Superior ratings from numerous Festivals across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. In 2019, his choir was crowned "Grand Champions" at the NRH20 Music Festival in North Richland Hills, Texas where his 4th/5th grade choir was in the same division as other elementary and middle school choirs. This year Leonas was awarded Teacher of the Year at Ginnings Elementary for his dedication and leadership. Leonas was also a Quarterfinalist of the 2020 GRAMMY Music Educator Award as he was one of the 180 finalists with over 3,300 nominations.
Before Denton, Leonas taught in Dallas, Texas teaching PreK-5 Elementary Music, Middle School Choir, and Beginning Band. Through the extensive training from VanderCook College of Music, Leonas was able to develop an elementary music curriculum and begin an instrumental program at his campus. In 2016, his Varsity Mixed Choir received the recognition of Grand Champion & Most Outstanding Choir of the Day at the Sandy Lake Music Festival. In the same year, Leonas founded the West Dallas Youth Men’s Choir, a vocal ensemble for Latino youth in the western neighborhoods of Dallas. The ensemble was created to promote the advancement of young Latinos in the field of Music Education; developing as musicians through comprehensive, bilingual choral education.
Leonas has led professional development workshops in Dallas and Denton ISD in Elementary Music focusing on Kodály Pedagogy and Curriculum. In 2014, he was awarded the Kodály Educators of Texas Award. Leonas was the Secretary of the Region 2 Texas Music Educators Association and is an active member of the Kappa Kappa Psi Alumni Association and the North Texas Chapter of the Organization of American Kodály Educators.