Graham Leavell

Graham Leavell is the first director of the Griffin Pride Band Program at Gretna East High School. In his time at the school, he has helped to lead the program to success in the state. Most notably, the GEHS Wind Ensemble was selected to perform at the 2025 Nebraska State Bandmasters Association convention during the program’s second year of operation.

He grew up in Blue Springs Missouri and was a very active member of the Blue Springs High School Golden Regiment. During his time in the program, he was fortunate enough to be taught by world class educators and to experience marching, concert, and jazz band at a high performing high school program.

During his college years, Graham attended Missouri Western State University. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in music education and served as the Fraternity Education Officer and Music Director of the school’s chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Men’s Music Fraternity. 

While in school, Mr. Leavell was a saxophone and low reeds tech with the Blue Springs South Jaguar Pride Marching Band.During his first two years of teaching, he was the Assistant Director of Bands at Papillion - La Vista South High School. He served as the Visual Caption Head for the marching band, the director of the Winter Winds Ensemble, and the director of the Blue Notes Jazz II ensemble. During his short time at the school, he helped the school win a Nebraska State Championship in Marching Band (2021,) Two Visual Caption Awards at the Nebraska State Marching Competition (2021/ 2022,) a Visual Caption at the BOA Iowa Regional (2021,) 3rd Place at the BOA Iowa Regional (2021,) 2nd place in class AA2 at NSBA State Jazz Competition, and a 4th place finish in the Winds Scholastic A class at WGI World Championships (2023). 

When Mr. Leavell is not actively working with an ensemble, he enjoys spending time with his fiancée Jacqueline and their cat Marbles.

Portfolio Link: https://sites.google.com/view/grahamjleavell