About

My name is Graham Leavell and I am a young instrumental music educator from Missouri. I am wildly passionate about teaching and helping my students achieve all of their goals. I am currently the first director of bands at Gretna East High School and have had the wonderful opportunity to open the school. I look forward to the great things this program will be able to achieve as it grows and evolves.

I hold a bachelor's degree in instrumental music education from Missouri Western State University. I started my college career as a computer science major. However, after a few years, it became apparent that this was not going to be the correct career path for me. I decided to pursue music and education. While at MWSU, I was fortunate enough to be the Drum Major of the marching band, a top member of the saxophone studio, music director and education officer of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, the principal saxophonist in both the symphonic winds and jazz ensemble, and a regular Baritone/ Alto Saxophone player in the St. Joseph Big Band.

While in college, I worked as a karate instructor in St. Joseph. I am a second degree black belt in American Kenpo and taught this style at my school for seven years. While at this job, I built the program from just over 40 students to the largest it has ever been at roughly 150 students. Even though I teach music full time, I still work tournaments and substitute for classes when possible.

Outside of Karate, I had some amazing opportunities to work for some fantastic school bands. For two years, I was on staff with the Blue Springs South High School Jaguar Pride Marching Band. In this job, I served as a Saxophone and Low Reed Technician and assisted with the visual program. Through this opportunity, I got experience working with a BOA level ensemble that made finals at the Iowa Regional on its first year and won multiple local Missouri Competitions.

In my previous position, I was the Assistant Director of Bands at Papillion - La Vista South High School. In this role I served as the visual caption head of the marching band, the lead director of the winter winds ensemble, the lead director of the Blue Notes Jazz 2 Band, the lead director of the concert band, and the assistant director of the Symphonic band. Through this position I have had the opportunity to work with some truly great students and staff members. Additionally, it has given me an opportunity to design the drill for the pregame show and winter winds show as well as the opportunity to lead many rehearsals and ensembles. During my time with the groups, we've earned a state championship in marching, consecutive visual captions at the state marching competition, runner up at state marching and state jazz competitions, and a 4th place finish in the Winds Scholastic A division at WGI World Championships.

I grew up in Blue Springs, Missouri and went to high school at Blue Springs High School. During my time in high school I was fortunate enough to participate in one of the Midwest's top high school marching bands: The Golden Regiment. While in school I had the amazing oportunity to be a drum major and be taught by world class educators. Through high school band, I've met some of my closest friends and my amazing fiancé Jacqueline. Because of these experiences, I know how important high school band is for students and look to recreate the amazing experiences I had for all of my students.

When I am not working - which is almost never - I spend time with my fabulous fiancé and our awesome cat Marbles. We like to counteract our crazy lives by spending time at home watching Parks and Recreation, the office, and other similar shows.