Leonard Ingrande received his bachelor’s degree in music education and master’s degree in Conducting from The University of Southern California. Mr. Ingrande has completed additional studies at Aspen Music Festival, Cleveland Institute of Music and at the Juilliard School of Music Extension Division. Mr. Ingrande is currently in his 18th year at Central High School where he conducts the Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, String Orchestra, and the Grizzly Marching Band which has received numerous Sweepstakes awards. His Wind Ensemble is considered to be one of the finest ensembles in the state of California. They were awarded several national honors, selected to perform at the 2019 CASMEC Music Educators Conference and selected to perform at Carnegie Hall. Their performances earned them an rousing standing ovations. They have performed in Seattle, Washington D C and were invited to perform in Chicago Symphony Hall in 2020 but was canceled because of COVID.
Mr. Ingrande has served on the board of CMEA Central Section as a jazz representative and President. In 2017, Mr. Ingrande was awarded the John Philip Sousa Legion of Honor Award and in 2019 the CMEA Don Schmeer/Byron Hoyt Band Educator Award. Ingrande also received in 2019, the Northern California Band Association Educator of the Year Award and in 2020, he has been nominated for Central Unified School District Teacher of the Year Award.
Mr. Ingrande is in demand as a guest conductor of honor bands, Orchestras, and as an adjudicator. Mr. Ingrande has been the Music Director and Conductor of the Monteverdi Chamber Orchestra and the Merced Symphony. He has conducted the California Opera Association, San Diego County Symphony, Fresno Philharmonic, members of the Juilliard orchestra and USC Orchestra.