Anthony Leach, associate professor of music and music education, has been named the Penn State Laureate for the 2009-2010 academic year. The position was established in 2008 to bring an enhanced level of social, cultural, artistic and human perspective and awareness to a broad array of audiences through the Laureate's appearances and performances across Pennsylvania. Kim Cook, professor of music in cello, was the inaugural Penn State Laureate.
Leach, a member of the School of Music faculty since 1994, teaches courses in choral music and conducts the University Choir and Essence of Joy. A native of Washington, D.C., he has fourteen years of teaching experience in the public schools of Maryland, Pennsylvania and New York. He also has served on the adjunct faculties of Shippensburg, Catholic and Howard universities. In addition to his duties at Penn State, he serves as minister of music and organist at New Bethel Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. Leach has held leadership positions in the Eastern Division of the American Choral Directors Association and currently is co-chair of the Committee on Urban/Rural Coalitions. This summer, he will be leading Essence of Joy on a concert tour of southeast Asia.