Ross Leavitt

Though he was homeschooled through high school, Springfield native Ross Leavitt also took advanced math, PE, and band at the Logos Academy, plus classes at LCC during his senior year. He started piano lessons at age six, then picked up the saxophone in sixth grade at the academy. "The band program is amazing. Mrs. Norland demands a lot from the kids," he says. "She encouraged me to take private lessons." Leavitt concentrated on solo saxophone performance during his junior and senior years, giving recitals and sending tapes to competitions. His efforts were rewarded with a trip to China on a cultural exchange and a full scholarship to the University of Michigan. "My teacher, Donald Sinta, is a living legend," says Leavitt, home for the summer after his first year in Michigan and offering lessons to a few young saxophone students. Last month he was named as one of eight winners in the 2006 Yamaha Young Performing Artists competition. Hear Leavitt in a full recital at 7pm on August 22nd at the Central Lutheran Church in Eugene. Learn more at rossleavitt.com.

happening people photograph and story by Paul Neevel Eugene Weekly / 13 July 2006