Ben Leaptrott received his Masters of Music degree in piano performance from the Eastman School of Music, and continued with his post-graduate studies at the Sweelinck Conservatorium in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. At the end of almost 6 years in Europe, Ben finished studies with two diplomas; the ‘Uitvoerend Musicus’ (Soloist), and ‘Kammermusik’ (Chamber Music) diplomas. He spent two summers in Salzburg, Austria, studying at the Mozarteum. Mr. Leaptrott performed both solo and collaborative concerts in several countries during his time there. His teachers have included Leon Fleisher, Barbara Listersink, Edith Latiner-Grosz, Paul Tardif, and Leonard Shure.
Mr. Leaptrott moved to Atlanta in 1987 where he continued doing numerous recitals, and performed as guest soloist with the Winston-Salem Symphony. His duties also included being rehearsal pianist and coach/accompanist for the Atlanta Opera, Mobile Opera, Piedmont Opera, Augusta Opera, and Capital City Opera. Ben currently serves as organist for First United Methodist Church, Lawrenceville, Ga.
Ben is in his 17th year as Assistant Professor of Music with a specialty in collaborative arts at Brenau University. His recent musical accomplishments include being a past official accompanist for the district and regional Metropolitan Opera Auditions and Artist in Residence at Brenau with The Leaptrott Trio. He serves as Founding Board Member and Vice President of the Fritz and Lavinia Jensen Foundation, which serves to promote talented opera singers nationally.
