Leah Keyes Durham
Leah Keyes Durham
A native of Charleston, SC, Leah Keyes Durham holds the Bachelor of Music degree in choral music education from Furman University and the Master of Music degree in choral conducting performance from Louisiana State University. She has 15 years of experience as a music educator and conductor across four states- in public schools (elementary, middle, and high), in church settings (children, youth, and adults), and in community choir programs. As a public school music educator, choirs under her direction regularly earned superior ratings at state and regional festivals, and her students earned spots in All-State choirs. Leah was honored as District Teacher of the Year for Anderson School District 4 (SC) in 2011-2012 and previously served as the Middle School Chair for the SC American Choral Directors Association.
Leah is the Artistic Director of the Alabama Choir School, a youth and children's community choir program serving 1st-12th grade singers across four choirs in Tuscaloosa, AL. She currently conducts the program's Ambassador (middle school) and Chamber (high school) choirs, and is proud to be the third Artistic Director in the program's nearly 40-year history.
As a soprano soloist, Leah has performed in works such as Bach’s Magnificat, Mozart’s Mass in C minor, Handel’s Messiah, Vivaldi’s Gloria, and Faure’s Requiem. Leah moved to Tuscaloosa from Pendleton, South Carolina in 2021 with her husband, Justin, and their two young children, Colin and Molly. She has sung with the Taylor Festival Choir since 2017.
Get to know our Artists
Where did you do your musical training?
BM (choral music education) from Furman University; MM (choral conducting performance) from LSU
When did you first start performing with the TFC?
2017
What is your all-time favorite choral work?
I'd have to say Brahms Requiem. Singing it under the baton of Dr. Ken Fulton while at LSU remains one of my top choral experiences.
Where do you live now? And where do you call “home”?
I have lived in Tuscaloosa, AL since August 2021. We moved there from Pendleton, SC (near Clemson), where we lived for 12 years. But, my hometown is Charleston, and my parents still live there!
What is your favorite hobby outside of music?
Local "adventuring" with my family and traveling
Who is your favorite singer?
My friends- near and far, old and new. Seriously!
Who is your favorite actor?
I have immense respect for Viola Davis - and she's a SC native, too!
Favorite movie or play?
Currently aboard the Wicked bandwagon lol. My 4 year old loves to belt "Defying Gravity!"
What is your favorite meal?
My husband makes an amazing spaghetti bolognese, but I'm a big fan of pasta of any kind, really.
Who is your favorite sports team?
LSU Tigers!! GEAUX!
Do you have a favorite TFC or “singing with Rob” anecdote?
Every time I come to a TFC weekend, after going months without seeing Rob, I have to smile (and shake my head a little) when I see him walk into rehearsal in his fur-lined ugg slippers and a t-shirt from his eclectic collection :)