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 is currently teaching Middle School Choir at Navo Middle School in Denton Independent School District. In 2024, Leonas and the Navo Choirs made school history by having all three choir ensembles earn Sweepstakes at the University Interscholastic League (UIL) Concert & Sight Singing Evaluation. He was previously the Elementary Music Specialist at Ginnings Elementary in Denton ISD. 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. Leonas was awarded Teacher of the Year at Ginnings Elementary for his dedication and leadership in 2019. Leonas was also a Quarterfinalist of the 2021 GRAMMY Music Educator Award as he was one of the 180 finalists with over 3,300 nominations. He was a quarterfinalist before in 2020. 

     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. In his spare time, Leonas enjoys spending time with his little Chiweenie, Logan.