TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

It's A Nice Arrangement

JAY CONNER/staff

Music Director Todd LeBlanc directs the choir at St Andrews Presbyterian Church located in Tampa Palms at 5338 Premrose Lake Cir.

ADVERTISEMENT

By SARAH ROTHWELL, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 26, 2008

Additional Photos

NEW TAMPA - Music teacher Todd LeBlanc can't go to the grocery store without running into a familiar face. Since arriving in the New Tampa area 18 years ago, LeBlanc has taught at several schools and churches in the community.

Today, LeBlanc, 41, is music director at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Tampa Palms. In addition, he is the director of Todd LeBlanc's Performing Arts Studio, which is home to the popular children's performance group ShowKidz.

Q: What inspired you to start singing and dancing?

A: I grew up on a dairy farm in Vermont. I went to a small Catholic school. When I was in the first grade, the music teacher plucked me out of the group and got me up singing solos. I'd be standing up on a soapbox, singing to the church. I remember singing "O Holy Night" on Christmas Eve. I don't remember a time without music.

Q: What performers inspired you?

A: Elvis. My mom was a big Elvis fan. I used to go around imitating him. He was a great vocalist and performer.

Q: When did you know that you wanted to pursue music as a career?

A: Growing up, I never really thought of it as a career choice. I was in choir all through high school, but it was a hobby. For a couple years, I thought I might get a basketball scholarship to college. I ended up going to Plymouth State University in New Hampshire on a math scholarship. While I was there, I performed in the show choir and in musical theater. One day my adviser asked me why I wasn't majoring in music. He offered me a music scholarship, and it just clicked. Music was my passion. I graduated with a degree in music education.

Q: What brought you to Tampa?

A: I met my wife in college. After we got married, we were going to live in D.C. and go to graduate school, but the cost of living was too much. My parents were living in Florida in Temple Terrace. My wife and I liked the idea of being near family, so we decided to start our lives together in New Tampa.

Q: Where was your first teaching job in the area?

A: When we moved here Tampa Palms Elementary had just opened up, and they were looking for a music specialist. It was my first teaching job. I loved it. I loved being able to share music with others.

Q: How did the ShowKidz program start?

A: In 1994, I was teaching at Hunter's Green Elementary. Parents started asking me about doing something for the middle school children after school. Hunter's Green agreed to let me use their space, and I started ShowKidz. It caught on quickly.

I still direct ShowKidz, and now I direct a teen group called The Company. I also teach drama class. It's all part of my performing arts studio.

Q: Why did you leave the school system?

A: After Hunter's Green, I went to teach at Wharton High School, but it didn't feel like the right fit. It was 1998. I felt pulled to teach sacred music. At the time, the pastor at Grace Episcopal Church offered for me to use the church space for my ShowKidz program. Then, the church's musical director left and they asked if I'd be interested in the position. It made sense to me to merge my passion for music and my love for God.

Q: Fast forward 10 years and you're at St. Andrew Presbyterian. How did that happen?

A: After Grace Episcopal, I was at St. Mark's Catholic Church. I had a wonderful time there. I was there for five years. Then, there were some changes taking place at the church that were going to affect my position. I knew it wouldn't be the right job for me anymore.

My best friends offered me space for ShowKidz at the new building they were opening for their dance studio, the Jansen Dance Project. It just happened to be across the street from where St. Andrew was building their new space. Then, St. Andrew's music director just happened to be leaving.

God works in mysterious ways.

Q: You've worked at churches of different denominations. Do you still consider yourself Catholic?

A: I'm grateful for my Catholic upbringing. I see myself as a Christian. Christianity reaches beyond labels and denominations.

Q: What have you done since coming to work at St. Andrew?

A: The church is so new. When I started, they had a couple ladies playing the piano and small choir. They had a core of dedicated singers. Now, we have 14 folks in the choir. We had a wonderful Christmas show. My friend Lori Winter plays the piano, and the bass player from St. Mark's comes to play with us on Sundays.

Q: What's it like looking back on your years in New Tampa?

A: I've had an amazing journey. I've met so many wonderful people. I've grown and changed. Every change I've made has been positive.

Q: Have you found a home at St. Andrew?

A: I'm happy where I'm at now. I love the pastor and the people at St. Andrew. My wife and daughters love the church. It's a good place for all of us. I love being able to use my talents to bring joy to others.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: St. Andrew Presbyterian Church

WHEN: Services at 10 a.m. Sundays

WHERE: 5338 Primrose Lake Circle

INFORMATION: Call (813) 907-3057 or visit www.saint andy.com. For information on Todd LeBlanc's Performing Arts Studio, ShowKidz and The Company, call (813) 991-9293.

Sarah Rothwell can be reached at (813) 865-4845 or srothwell @tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT