Kirby Leitz, an American saxophonist and educator based in Montreal, stands out for his versatility and open-minded vision of contemporary music.
Passionate about the dialogue between musical cultures, he combines virtuosity, creativity, and a strong commitment to teaching.
As a JLV ambassador, he values the freedom and fluidity that his JLV ligatures bring to his playing.
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Kirby Leitz (he/him) is a saxophonist and educator currently based in Montréal, Québec. His artistic vision is guided by a deep desire to foster connection and musical camaraderie across diverse cultures and sound worlds.
While the saxophone remains his primary instrument, Kirby has also distinguished himself as a collaborative pianist and violinist. He has been teaching piano, saxophone, and violin for several years and also has functional experience with the trumpet and guitar in various performance settings. This versatility and musical curiosity make him a flexible, attentive, and passionate educator.
As a performer, Kirby Leitz has appeared throughout the United States at numerous festivals and events, including the Indiana State University Contemporary Music Festival, the Bowling Green State University New Music Festival, the Navy Band International Saxophone Symposium, and the American Saxophone Alliance Conference. Internationally, he has participated in the Susquehanna University GO Study Abroad Program (Niigata, Japan) and the Cortona Sessions for New Music (Cortona, Italy; Ede, Netherlands). He was also a prize-winning performer in the Susquehanna University Concerto Competition.
Kirby holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Susquehanna University (Magna Cum Laude) and a Master of Music in Saxophone Performance from Bowling Green State University, where he served as a Graduate Assistant teaching Woodwind Methods. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Music in Performance Studies at McGill University (Montréal, Québec), where his research focuses on contemporary music and explores Canadian saxophone culture as a meeting point between French and American traditions. His principal teachers include Dr. Gail B. Levinsky, Dr. John Sampen, and Marie-Chantal Leclair.
