Kathryn Leonard has been active in the Eugene community as a performer and an educator for nearly ten years, since she relocated from Portland to pursue her graduate degree. Kathryn holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance, Pedagogy Concentration from Marylhurst University and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Pacific University. As a performer, Kathryn has given solo recitals in venues such as Pittock Mansion, the Old Church, and as part of the Hult Center’s SHOcase series. She has sung with many choirs across the Northwest, including the Portland Symphonic Choir, the Eugene Vocal Arts Ensemble and the Eugene Concert Choir, for whom she has been a featured soloist and actor. At The Shedd Institute, she has been seen as Luciana in The Boys From Syracuse, Tuptim in The King and I, and Shirley Vernon in Lady, Be Good and has been featured with The Emerald City Jazz Kings since their 2016-17 season. Kathryn is a certified music teacher for early childhood through middle school, and is currently the music specialist and drama instructor at O’Hara Catholic School in Eugene. Kathryn is also the director of the Junior Academy Singers Girlchoir for Oregon Children’s Choir, has served on the voice faculty of The John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts, and was the Music Director and Curriculum Designer for the Eugene Concert Choir’s Educational Outreach Program.
Background, professional training and performance history
Kathryn Leonard, a certified music and general education teacher, holds a Master of Arts Degree in Teaching from Pacific University and a Bachelor of Music Degree in Vocal Performance – Pedagogy Concentration from Marylhurst University. As a performer, Kathryn has given solo recitals in venues such as Pittock Mansion, the Old Church, and as part of the Hult Center’s SHOcase series. Kathryn has performed numerous solos with the Eugene Vocal Arts Ensemble and the Eugene Concert Choir and has been a lead performer for the Oregon Festival of American Music. The Eugene Register-Guard has named Kathryn an “outstanding soloist” and an “excellent” performer. As an educator, Kathryn has served on the voice and piano faculty of The John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts since 2009. At the Shedd Institute, she helped develop and acts as the lead teacher for the innovative Music Box program for elementary school children. Kathryn has also served as the Music Director for the Eugene Concert Choir’s Educational Outreach Program since 2010, bringing free music education to public schools.
Artist statement and teaching philosophy
"Music has been called the universal language. As musicians, we have the ability to connect to others through musical sound. As singers, we use the most personal of all instruments with which to connect: our voices. It is my mission to guide my students as they learn to communicate musically according to the natural dictates of their own instruments. Whether a student desires to become a member of a church choir, land a role in a school musical, or pursue a long-dormant desire to sing on pitch, voice lessons can help a student discover the most free and natural use of his or her voice."
Instruments & classes taught
Kathryn teaches voice and piano.