Programs

Programs

How to Join

Kids can join The Leopards right after 1st grade.  The first step in becoming involved is to attend one of our summer camps.  After camp, kids will have the opportunity to join our performing Leopards, Spotlight Leopards, or our Middle School Ensembles.
Camp spots are limited.
Click below to register for our camps.

SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION FOR 2024 NOW OPEN!

 

Our Programs

Louisville Leopard Percussionists (Grades 2-6)

This is our main performing ensemble for kids in grades 2-6. This group rehearses twice a week and performs often out in our community.  Members are added in 2nd and 3rd grade and continue in this group through 6th grade.  Graduates of LLP can continue in our Steel Leopard Ensemble.


Leopards Lite is now Spotlight on the Groove

Leopards Lite was an expansion group of the Louisville Leopard Percussionists created by Brittany Franks in 2009.  In 2022 we changed the focus of Leopards Lite and created our Spotlight on the Groove group.

Our Spotlight program has 2 groups – 2nd & 3rd graders and 4th & 5th graders.  They spend their season rehearsing and have a culminating performance at LLP’s BiG GiG each spring.

Kids who join our Spotlight group first attend one of our summer camps held each July. This group practices one day a week.


Middle School Ensemble (Grades 6-8)

Our Middle School Ensemble began in 2017.  After participating in a week of summer camp, camp attendees can join this ensemble.  This group practices one day a week and have their culminating performance at our BiG GiG each spring.


Steel Leopards (Grades 7-10)

After graduating from the main group of The Leopards, so many of our kids wanted to continue making music together that our Steel Leopards group was created. The group was founded in 2009 by Aaron Klausing and serves past members of the Leopards in 7th grade and above. This group performs throughout the community, often in partnership with our main LLP group.  They practice one day a week.


Studio Leopards (Grades 9-12)

The Studio Leopards are our oldest students, who are graduates from our Leopard programs.  They are doing more behind-the-scenes work than any other group.  Studio Leopards will teach our younger ensembles, develop projects, make live and studio recordings, learn part-writing and arranging, and even prepare their own music.

Tune into 97.1 WXOX FM every Tuesday 4:00-5:00 to hear our Studio members host their own radio show, Leopards ON AiR!   They will be playing tunes The Leopards have played, or should play, as well as some of their favorites!

(Awesome artwork by Sabina!)


World Drumming Friday (Grades 2-8)

Under the direction of Yeshima, from Drum Smart LLC, kids in grades 2-8 are invited to join us for an 8 week course in World Drumming.  Students will learn rhythms from around the world, their significance in different cultures, and all about the instruments on which they are played.

We will offer 2 sessions of WDF.  Our winter session will start on Friday, February 9th and run through March 29th.  Click here to register!

Please email us for more details of if you have any questions.


 

Leopard Learners at ML King Elementary School

We have partnered with The Decode Project to the launch of our newest program – Leopard Learners.  This collaboration aims to inspire King Elementary students by incorporating thirty minutes of music prior to thirty minutes of tutoring, enhancing the effectiveness of the learning process. This innovative approach is rooted in the longstanding belief that engaging in music can stimulate the brain, creating a more receptive environment for education. When kids possess strong literacy skills and the confidence to believe in themselves and their ideas, they hold the transformative power to shape society.  The Decode Project, with its focus on students who require structured literacy support, ensures that even those who are often overlooked receive a solid foundation in literacy – a vital element for promoting equity and inclusivity.

An additional exciting aspect of this project is that all the instruments we began with are still housed at King, eagerly awaiting their chance to be played once more. The prospect of returning to our roots and rekindling the musical spirit within the halls of King Elementary fills us with great excitement and joy!


Scene 7

Seven of our talented young musicians have come together to create their own band, aptly named Scene 7! Taking charge of their musical direction, they’ve selected their own repertoire and arranged their own tunes. They have taken the stage at renowned venues like The Speed Museum, Mike Linnigs, Vernon Lanes, and even a Louisville Roller Derby Match. Let us know if you’re interested in booking Scene 7 for your event!

 

 

Book the Leopards for a Gig!