Scott Leahy grew up in Ohio, and in his High School band received superior ratings in both district and state competitions annually. In high school he organized and directed the Basketball Band, playing trumpet in that ensemble.  He also performed as a guest percussionist with an orchestra in Cleveland, as well as State Honors Band.  His high school commissioned a work entitled "Beowulf" by W. Francis McBeth who guest conducted the premiere of the piece.

    Scott received his B. A. in Music Education, instrumental music focus, from Bowling Green State University, OH in 1991.  While at Bowling Green, he received a Music Talent Award 9 semesters, Outstanding Bandsman award in 1990, Toledo Key to the Sea award, as well as 3 Music Composition and History grants.  He marched in the BGSU Marching Band 5 years, both as a percussionist and euphonium player. As percussionist, Scott was section leader for 2 years. Scott auditioned and was placed in the Symphonic Band for 4 years where he was principal Timpanist, and Mallet percussion.  He also played Euphonium with the University Band, drumset with the Athletic Band, and Mallet percussion with the Percussion Ensemble.          His performance experiences include playing in the pit orchestra for the Ice Capades, as well as various other professional vocal and instrumental ensembles.  He began teaching music in 1991 in South Florida. There he led a community band, teaching non-professionals of many ages and playing levels, as well as church choirs and orchestras. He taught private lessons to various wind instrument and piano students.

    Scott is now director of bands at Stewart Middle School where he has two beginning bands, an Intermediate Band, Advanced Band and a Jazz Band.  At Raymond B. Stewart Middle School the Advanced Band has continued to achieve Superior ratings at FBA events on grade 3 literature, and even the Intermediate and Jazz Bands were awarded Superiors.  In 2009 & 2010 the Advanced Band was named “National Grand Champions” with the Dynamic Music Festival competition, scoring the highest of any middle school in it’s class, nationwide during the 2009 & 2010 season, and again in 2011 for the OrlandoFest competition.    In 2010 the Advanced Band was named “State Level Winner” in the “Mark of Excellence, National Wind Band Competition”.  Two student conductors conducted bands at FBA MPA and both obtained Superior ratings after taking conducting instruction from Scott.  The Jazz Band has been invited & hired to play for the Grand Opening of Sweetbay, Publix and at the Chamber of Commerce dinner, as well as the Zephyrhills Rotary Club.    The growth has been outstanding and the program is earning a reputation of excellence.  Students have been selected for All-State Band, All-County Band and All-County Jazz Band.  The Marching Band has earned first place trophies for parades, and over 80 students participated in Solo/Ensemble earning Superiors and Excellents.  In his previous Music position he has had students regularly selected to sing with the FMEA All-State Elementary Chorus from over 700 auditions. Scott also received "Teacher of the Year" in his second year at Lacoochee Elementary School, where he had a chorus, an auditioned "show choir", an Orff percussion ensemble, and a music challenge group. 

    Since moving to Tampa in 2002, Scott has sung in the chorus with Opera Tampa, and has had many unique conducting and teaching experiences. He is the current Artistic Director for the Wesley Chapel Wind Ensemble, a prestigious wind band serving the community for both students and adult musicians.  Scott is a member of Kappa Kappa Psi, national honorary band fraternity, Florida Music Educators Association in the Bandmasters component, National Bandmasters Association, and MENC.  He has been a sponsor of a Tri-M chapter at R. B. Stewart Middle School.  He was recently recognized as an “Emerging Leader” by the FMEA.  Scott was selected “Teacher of the Year” at R. B. Stewart Middle School in 2007.  In 2008 Scott was nominated for and received the prestigious “Tom Bishop” award with the Florida Bandmasters Association.  In 2011 he received the 5 year superior plaque from the FBA.  He regularly is involved with FBA hosting meetings and All-State Auditions at his school.