aapioneerbands.org » Our Directors

David A. Leach
Director of Bands since 2002

Born and raised in Ann Arbor and a proud graduate of Huron High School, David A. Leach has served as Director of Bands at Pioneer High School since 2002. He received his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Music Education at Eastern Michigan University and studied trumpet with Professor Carter Eggers, conducting with Professor Russell Reed and Dr. Max Plank, and attended master classes in conducting with Professor Elizabeth A. H. Green. He began his teaching career at Ypsilanti High School and spent fourteen years there before coming to Ann Arbor.

Mr. Leach has served on the executive board of the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association’s District XII as Secretary and Vice-President of Adjudication and has been a member of the organization since 1988. He is a member of the Music Educators National Conference. He is a member of the Ann Arbor First United Methodist Church, where he is a member of the Music Committee. Mr. Leach has been included in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers three times, a listing of the best teachers in America selected by their students. In 2000 the University of Michigan chapter of the national music fraternity Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia honored Mr. Leach with the Scott Pendleton Memorial Award for outstanding achievement in music education. In 1999, 2001, 2002, and 2005 he was nominated for Disney’s American Teacher Award. He is the 2005-06 Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association District XII Teacher of the Year. He is a proud member of the 2006 National GRAMMY Signature School Award-winning Pioneer Music Department the top high school music program in the nation.

Nancy Waring
Associate Director of Bands

Nancy Waring has worked with the bands at Pioneer High School since 1992. She has helped to produce the high level of performances for which the bands are known at music festivals and performances here in Michigan as well as Orlando, Chicago, Boston, New York, Virginia Beach, Myrtle Beach, Toronto, Orlando, and Beijing and Tianjin, China.

During her tenure the Pioneer Music Department has been honored by the Grammy Foundation as The 2006 National GRAMMY Signature School, the most outstanding high school music department in the nation. The department was also awarded Grammy Gold Signature School awards, one of the top seven high school music departments, in 2004 and 2005, and Grammy Signature School awards, one of the top fifty high school music departments, in 2002 and 2003.

Ms. Waring is included in the ninth edition of Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, a listing of the best teachers in America selected by their students.

Ms. Waring’s teachers include Roy Ernst, Larry Teal, Joseph Mariano, Keith Bryan, and Elizabeth A. H. Green. She is a graduate of The University of Michigan School of Music where she received a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education (1971) and a Master of Music degree in Flute Performance (1972). She has performed as principal flutist and soloist with several orchestras in southeast Michigan. Before her appointment at Pioneer High School she was substitute flutist with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. At present she is the flutist with the Intrada Woodwind Quintet and freelances with area orchestras when time permits.

Ms. Waring has taught flute on the faculties of the University of Toledo and the Interlochen Arts Academy. She has maintained a private flute studio in the Ann Arbor area for over thirty years. Ms. Waring also wrote the proposal for, developed the course structure and content for, and teaches the Music Theory and Technology course at Pioneer High School.

Past Directors
One of the greatest strengths of the Pioneer Band Program is the amazing succession of directors who have provided excellent musical education and outstanding leadership for our students. Each director has brought unique talents and vision to the program, while fulfilling the legacy and mission they inherited. We invite you to learn more about: