Leo Taylor Percussion / Drumset / Piano / Music Theory

Leo Taylor began his position as Principal Percussionist of the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra in the 2021-2022 season and became the Acting Timpanist in the 2022-2023 season. Additionally, he serves as Principal Timpanist with the West Michigan Symphony, appointed in 2019. He is an avid performer throughout the Sioux Falls community serving as timpanist for First Lutheran Church and percussionist with Christmas at the Cathedral, and more.

He has served/currently serves as an extra timpanist/percussionist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Minnesota Orchestra, Omaha Symphony, Lakes Area Music Festival, among others.

Leo has performed on Drumset with the SDSO, Luke Carlsen, Capathia Jenkins, Bill Gibson Quartet at the Trio Jazz Club, Beverly Gibson’s Klezmer Consortium and the Sioux Falls Chamber Music Collective, SDSYO’s Camerata, and as a church worship drummer.

He is an instructor of percussion with Augustana University, University of Sioux Falls and also teaches percussion and piano throughout Sioux Falls and Tea. His students have had success being selected for All State band, orchestra, and jazz band, and various Honor Bands.

Leo has instructed the front ensemble for Brandon Valley Indoor Percussion, Groove, Inc., Lincoln High School, and Jefferson High School. He instructed private lessons at Sioux Falls Christian Middle School and has presented percussion master classes to Lincoln High School, O’Gorman High School, and Roosevelt High School. He currently serves as a judge for the Sioux Falls School District Middle School Solo & Ensemble contest.

He has shared the stage with Yo-Yo Ma, Jamey Haddad, Cyro Baptista, Michael Ward-Bergeman, Mark O'Connor, Zakir Hussain, Nadja Solerno-Sonnenberg, Aldo Lopez-Gavilan, Tessa Lark, and Byron Stripling.

During high school Leo was a part of the Owasso High School Marching Band as a snare drummer where they achieved St. Louis Super Regional Champion and Grand Nationals Finalist. He was the runner up in 2018 of the Modern Snare Drum Competition and was the third-place winner in 2017.

He earned his Master’s in Orchestral Studies from Roosevelt University-Chicago College of Performing Arts, Bachelor of Music from DePaul University, and holds a diploma from the Interlochen Arts Academy.

Teaching Philosophy:

I am interested in helping a student achieve their personal best over a course of study with me. Understanding that students learn differently and are all at different ability levels, I take a multi modal approach to assessing how a student can digest material. I want the students to be excited to share about positive experiences they have had during their time while learning with me!