Leigh Wilson is principal percussionist of the Spokane Symphony and adjunct faculty at Whitworth University. A Massachusetts native, he began playing percussion at age twelve. He is a graduate of the Harvard/New England Conservatory dual degree program and pursued further studies at the University of Southern California. His principal teachers include Matthew McKay, James Babor, Joseph Pereira, and John Tanzer. In the past few years, he has performed in the symphonies and philharmonics of Los Angeles, Oregon, Omaha, Ottawa (NACO), Portland ME, South Dakota, the New World Symphony, and has held fellowships with the National Orchestral Institute and the Music Academy of the West. He is also a published chemist and can be found helping his percussion students with their chemistry homework at the end of lessons.