Artist

Wayne Leechford

Reeds / Music Coordinater

She Loves Me is Wayne’s 8th production with PlayMakers as a multiple-woodwinds performer. Past performances Cabaret (SYC 2018), Sweeney Todd (2016), Into the Woods (2014), Assassins (2014), Sweeney Todd (SYC 2013), Cabaret (2013), Threepenny Opera (1998). And 4th as music coordinator, She Loves Me (2018), Sweeney Todd (2016), Into The Woods (2014), Assassins (2014). His first professional musical theatre production was Threepenny Opera at PlayMakers in 1998.

Wayne Leechford is a multi-instrumental performer and instructor from Raleigh, North Carolina. Stage credits include artists such as Aretha Franklin, Johnny Mathis, Idina Menzel, The Temptations, The Four Tops, The Coasters, Joan Rivers, Clay Aiken, Regis Philbin, Susan Lucci, Lorna Luft, Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons, Harry James Orchestra, The Cab Calloway Orchestra, and New Century Saxophone Quartet.

Regionally, he has performed with the North Carolina Symphony, Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Raleigh Symphony, Tar River Orchestra, Raleigh Civic Symphony and Chamber Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle, Free Spirits Ensemble, North Carolina Saxophone Ensemble, Tar River Symphonic Band, North Carolina Wind Orchestra, North Carolina Jazz Repertory Orchestra, Tar River Swing Band, Orquesta GarDel, and Children of the Horn.

As a woodwind specialist, he performs for the Durham Performing Arts Center – SunTrust Broadway Series, North Carolina Theatre/Broadway Series South, PlayMakers Repertory Company, Theatre Raleigh, Cary Players, and Raleigh Little Theatre. He has played for national Broadway tours including The Book of Mormon, Wicked, Phantom of the Opera, Motown, Kinky Boots, Newsies, and more.

His appearances have included live television, radio broadcasts, and studio recording sessions. Studio credits: Discovery Channel (MINI MONSTERS), TLC (Sister Wives), Discovery Health Channel (Clark Howard: Dollars and Sense), Warner Brothers (The Whole Nine Yards movie trailer), and documentaries including Bending Sticks: The Sculpture of Patrick Dougherty and Emptying the Skies. He performed for President Bill Clinton at the White House in 1995.

Mr. Leechford teaches woodwinds and owns and operates Leechford Music in Cary, NC. He has been a clinician for secondary school wind ensembles, marching bands, and jazz bands. His students consistently receive top awards for their performances. He has taught at North Carolina State University, Meredith College, Wake Technical Community College and Shaw University.

In addition to performing and teaching, Wayne is also a music coordinator and orchestra contractor. In 2008, he founded Leechford Entertainment, LLC. He has contracted musicians for national Broadway tours, international touring artists, regional theatre companies and more.

Wayne Leechford received his BM and MM degrees from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts where he studied with James Houlik and James Kalyn.

Shows at PlayMakers