Mike Leitzke began his music career at Prospect High School in Mount Prospect, IL, and went on to become a member of the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps and Rhythm X Indoor percussion ensemble. During his tenure at Rhythm X, the group earned their first WGI World Class Championship.
Mike has taught, arranged, and consulted for many high schools and indoor programs across the United States. Mike served as the front ensemble caption head and arranger for Palmetto Percussion, winning the WGI Open Class Championship in 2010 and making World Class Finals for the first time. On the drum corps side, Mike has served on the faculty of the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps and Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps as well as worked as a clinician and consultant for The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps. Additionally, Mike served as a designer and educator for the WGI PSW finalist Mt. Juliet Band of Gold and Indoor Drumline.
Presently, Mike is the percussion director at Franklin High School (TN), a Sudler Shield band program and an adjunct instructor at Broken Arrow High School. Mike is an active adjudicator for Bands of America, serves on the advisory board/steering committee for Winter Guard International, and serves on the judge leadership team for Drum Corps International. Mike is the percussion/winds coordinator of the CWEA, MEPA, and WGASC indoor circuits. Mike is proud to be an artist and clinician for Yamaha, Remo, Innovative Percussion, and Zildjian.
Mike has taught, arranged, and consulted for many high schools and indoor programs across the United States. Mike served as the front ensemble caption head and arranger for Palmetto Percussion, winning the WGI Open Class Championship in 2010 and making World Class Finals for the first time. On the drum corps side, Mike has served on the faculty of the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps and Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps as well as worked as a clinician and consultant for The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps. Additionally, Mike served as a designer and educator for the WGI PSW finalist Mt. Juliet Band of Gold and Indoor Drumline.
Presently, Mike is the percussion director at Franklin High School (TN), a Sudler Shield band program and an adjunct instructor at Broken Arrow High School. Mike is an active adjudicator for Bands of America, serves on the advisory board/steering committee for Winter Guard International, and serves on the judge leadership team for Drum Corps International. Mike is the percussion/winds coordinator of the CWEA, MEPA, and WGASC indoor circuits. Mike is proud to be an artist and clinician for Yamaha, Remo, Innovative Percussion, and Zildjian.