MEET LEAH MCGRAY

A dynamic conductor of both wind band and orchestral ensembles, Leah McGray is currently the conductor of the Laurier Wind Orchestra at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Previously, she was the Director of Instrumental Studies for the State University of New York at Geneseo and Rhodes College in Memphis, TN.

She regularly teaches classes in conducting, music and social justice, instrumental pedagogy, and musicianship skills. Dr. McGray earned her degrees from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois (DMA), the University of Toronto (MM), and Acadia University (BM, BEd). She is in demand internationally as an adjudicator and has been a guest conductor for youth orchestras and honour bands across the United States, South Korea, and Canada, including the 2023 National Youth Band of Canada.

Twice awarded major research grants from SSHRC, her scholarship explores techniques of non-verbal leadership, and wind ensemble repertoire by traditionally underrepresented composers.