Biography

As winner of the NewMusic@ECU 2004 Composition Competition Leon Harrell holds among his awards the Bomhard Fellowship from the University of Louisville as well as the Mary Shannon Boyd Piano Scholarship and an SGA Outstanding Senior Award in the Area of Keyboard Music from East Carolina University.

Harrell’s works have been performed in North Carolina and Kentucky. He has received several commissions, most notably from Sharon Munden, faculty mezzo-soprano at East Carolina University, for a song cycle based on the poetry of Dinah Craik. Most recently the chamber ensemble Eighth Blackbird recorded his composition Crosstown Traffic during the New Music Festival at the University of Louisville. Harrell has also had numerous readings with such artists as Marylin Nonken, Abby Conent, the New Millienum Ensemble and the Meridian Arts Ensemble.

Born in Wilson, NC in 1980, Harrell began his musical training at age five when he began playing the piano. He began composing at the age of thirteen and formal composition study during his undergraduate study at East Carolina University in Greenville, NC. His primary composition teachers include Mark Taggart, Ed Jacobs, and Steve Rouse. Harrell has also had lessons with such composers as George Tsantakis and Shulamit Ran. His professional activities include Director of Music from 2000-2003 at Farmville Presbyterian Church where the music program has premiered many of his sacred works and choral arrangements.

Currently Leon is the organist/accompanist at Beulah Presbyterian in Louisville, KY and is scheduled to teach Music Theory at the University of Louisville in the Fall. Also his new business AffordableWeddingMusic.com is serving the Louisville and Southern Indiana area for wedding music and other musical events. As well as performing regulary Mr. Harrell teaches private piano, compositon, and computer lessons.