Joel Leach, CSUN Professor of Music, taught previously in the Lansing, Michigan public schools and at Michigan State and Texas Tech Universities. For 26 years he directed CSUN’s award-winning Jazz Band during which time he was named “Jazz Educator of the Year” (Los Angeles Jazz Society) and an “American National Treasure” (Los Angeles City Council). He also chaired the Percussion Major throughout most of his tenure.

In 1994 Mr. Leach designed the Music Industry Studies major which is now the largest major in the CSUN department of music. Shortly after launching the M.I.S. major, he vacated his position in Jazz.

Prof. Leach is the author of four books in music: Percussion Manual for Music Educators (Warner Publications), Music Copyright Basics, (Alfred Pub. Co.), Scoring for Percussion (Warner Publications), and A Concise Guide to Music Industry Terms (Mel Bay Pub. Co).

As a composer/arranger Mr. Leach composed/arranged more than 160 publications for concert, jazz and marching bands. Additionally, he has authored more than 300 magazine articles in the areas of Percussion, Jazz and the Music Industry.

Mr. Leach founded and served as president of two publishing companies: Studio 4 Music (performance music) and Studio 4 Productions (non-music books), whose products are available worldwide. He serves as an Expert Witness nationally, specializing in area of music copyright infringement and as a musicologist for motion picture and recording companies.

Mr. Leach is a Past-President of the International Association for Jazz Education (IAJE). He has also served several terms as a member of the Board of the Percussive Arts Society (PAS).

Beyond the field of music, Mr. Leach authored Airfare Secrets Exposed as well as the nation’s best selling book on earthquake preparedness: Earthquake Prepared; Securing Your Home, Protecting Your Family.