About John
John Leavitt is a composer, conductor, pianist, and teacher, whose music continues to captivate listeners and musicians of all ages.
He received his undergraduate music education degree from Emporia State University, a master’s degree in piano & composition from Wichita State University, and the Doctorate of Musical Arts in conducting from The Conservatory of Music at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Dr. Leavitt is a lifetime member of the American Choral Directors Association and is a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers, from which he has received annual recognition for his achievements in composition.
During his tenure at Friends University, Dr. Leavitt was the recipient of the W.A. Young Award for teaching excellence. He also served on the faculty of MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe, KS where he was honored with the University Presidential Award for teaching. He has held additional faculty positions at Newman University in Wichita, KS; Concordia College, Edmonton, Alberta (Canada); and Concordia University, River Forest, Illinois.
He has received the Kansas Artist Fellowship Award from the Kansas Arts Commission for his contribution to music composition. He also was the recipient of a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts “American Masterpieces,” to write new music for the 150th anniversary of the State of Kansas. His music has been performed in more than 30 countries across the globe and his recordings have been featured nationally on many public radio stations. There are hundreds of videos of his music featured on YouTube.
Dr. Leavitt has taught, lectured, and guest conducted innumerable workshops, festivals, and symposia. He has served as a regular guest conductor in major venues including New York’s Carnegie Hall, Washington DC’s Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and Dublin’s Christ Church Cathedral. He has served as artistic director for the National Capitol Choral Festival in Washington DC and the Chicago Sings Choral Festival. His compositions are represented in nearly every major music catalog in this country.
Dr. Leavitt has been honored with the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music Alumni of the Year. He spends most of his time composing, guest conducting, and producing new work in the recording studio. For more information, please visit https://johnleavittmusic.com
Bio: Short
John Leavitt’s career has included more than three decades as a practicing composer, conductor, and teacher. He holds the Doctorate of Musical Arts (conducting) from the University of Missouri – Kansas City Conservatory of Music. He is a lifetime member of the American Choral Directors Association and a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers, from which he has received annual recognition for his achievements in composition.
He has served as music professor at several universities in North America, winning awards for teaching excellence. He has served as a regular guest conductor in major venues including New York’s Carnegie Hall and Washington DC’s Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. He has also conducted in Dublin’s Christ Church Cathedral.
As a composer and arranger, Dr. Leavitt has published across all media and genres. Many of his compositions and arrangements have become standard repertoire being performed in countries across the globe. As a performer, he has recorded more than two dozen albums of choral, orchestral, and piano music. For more information, please visit https://johnleavittmusic.com
