Leah Keyes Durham
Leah Keyes Durham
A native of Charleston, 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 over a decade of choral directing and teaching experience- in public schools (elementary, middle, and high), in church settings (adults and children/youth), and at performing arts summer camps. Ensembles under her direction have regularly earned top ratings at state and regional festivals, and her students have earned spots in All-State Choirs in SC and Texas. Leah was honored as the District Teacher of the Year for Anderson School District 4 (SC) and previously served as the Middle School Chair for the SC American Choral Directors Association. She is currently the Assistant Conductor of the Alabama Choir School in Tuscaloosa, AL, where she conducts the Concert Choir (elementary) and assists with the Ambassador Choir (middle) and Chamber Choir (high school).
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. In addition to the Taylor Festival Choir, Leah sings in the Chancel Choir at First United Methodist Church Tuscaloosa, where she also serves as the Children’s Music Director. Leah moved to Tuscaloosa from Pendleton, South Carolina in August of 2021 with her husband, Justin, and their two young children, Colin and Molly.
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 just moved with my family to Tuscaloosa, Alabama in August! I'm from Charleston originally, but lived in Pendleton, SC (near Clemson) for the past 12 years.
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?
Meryl Streep can do anything, can't she? I'm just amazed at her versatility.
Favorite movie or play?
Current obsession- Hamilton. I know, I'm late to the party on that one!
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 tshirt from his eclectic collection :)