oySongs.com - Jewish music

Email: Password:

Forgot Password?

ARTIST

ALBUMS

SONGS

SHEET MUSIC

PICTURES

BIO

NEWS & REVIEWS

Carol Boyd Leon - News & Reviews

July 28, 2005 - Getting To Know Carol Boyd Leon

From Burke Connection:

Carol Boyd Leon is a local musician whose presence is felt in many different outlets in our community. She wears many different musical hats — educator, choir director and performer, to name a few. Leon has lived in Burke for 25 years, and is this week's People Profile.

Family: I celebrated my 25th wedding anniversary with husband John Boyd last fall. Our daughter, Sarah, 23, is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and now a professional music director. Our sons are Jacob, 20, a junior at the University of North Dakota School of Aeronautics, and Jamie, 16, a junior at Robinson Secondary School.

Education: I have a bachelor of arts degree from Brown University, and I have done graduate work at George Washington University.

Current job: I am employed as a Jewish music educator, choir director and songleader/cantorial soloist. On weekdays, I teach music at Olam Tikvah Preschool in Fairfax, Beth Emeth Early Childhood Center in Herndon, and Keshet Child Development Center in Alexandria.

On weekends, I lead children's worship services at Beth El Hebrew Congregation in Alexandria and Congregation Bínai Tzedek in Potomac, Md. — they are enormously fun for me as well as for those who attend — as well as teaching music at Beth El and at Temple Shalom in Chevy Chase, Md.

In addition, I am the cantorial soloist for the very warm and welcoming Jewish residents of Greenspring Village in Springfield and am grateful to have the opportunity to lead them in prayer.

I direct the Olam Tikvah Chorale and the Kol NoVa Community Youth Choir, both in Fairfax, and am the coordinator of the annual NoVaShir Choral Festival which brings together many Jewish youth, teen and adult choirs from throughout Northern Virginia.

I also direct two secular camps in Burke Centre which meet at Burke Presbyterian Church. "Music & More Summer Camp" has been something of a Burke institution since 1991, and "Encore Summer Performance Camp" is now in its sixth season.

In addition, I am a songwriter. In 2004, I produced a double-CD and songbook of 70 original songs for Jewish children entitled "Gan Shirim, A Garden of Songs," I wrote the "Jewish Life Cycle Songbook" in 2002, and produced the "Songs From The Heart: Family Shabbat" CD and songbook in 2000. Most recently, I produced the just-released DVD, "A Healing Service in Song," in which the Olam Tikvah Chorale presents songs based on Jewish liturgy, complemented by beautiful pastoral images, to bring hope and healing to patients of INOVA Fairfax Hospital as well as to people recuperating at home.

Achievements: I was very pleased that my composition, "Patriots' Dreams," was selected in 2002 as the George Mason University alma mater and that two of my liturgical compositions, "Shalom Aleichem" and "Nakum Uvaninu," were selected for the First International Festival of New Jewish Liturgical Music last fall. I feel greatly honored that my music is part of many worship services and life-cycle occasions as well as being sung at GMU events.
But I'd have to say my greatest achievement, aside from helping to raise three children of whom I am very proud, is being able to forge special relationships with so many people throughout Northern Virginia and beyond, from tiny tots through seniors, through my music.

Activities/interests/hobbies: My songwriting is the activity which occupies almost all of my "spare time," often keeping me awake so far into the night that I hear the birds chirping before I realize that dawn is close at hand and I've forgotten to go to sleep. I am currently working on a few special projects including a songbook of super-simple Jewish songs and fingerplays for very young children and a song called "Washington, D.C."

Favorite local restaurant or place: OK, I'll admit it. I purchase far too many Starbuck's java chip frappuccinos — both with and without the mint. And they make it far too easy — there are seven Starbucks within four miles of my home.

Community Concerns: I am concerned that people don't feel comfortable with or try to learn about neighbors whose culture and traditions are foreign to them. I would love to see an annual street fair that features the art, music, dance and food of the many cultures represented by local residents, complete with an expo where we could purchase things to bring home. I recently saw the most exquisite jewelry from India in a local shop and could only wonder how many people don't know that's available right here in Burke and never would consider stepping inside to learn more about it.

Community hidden treasure: Walking the paths of Burke Centre with Sandy, my Scottish Terrier, is a special treat every fall when the leaves turn brilliant colors, and so is riding the train at Burke Lake Park. (I bring a train whistle to blow in the tunnel).

Personal goals: To continue learning, singing and songwriting, maintaining strong family ties even as my children move to other parts of the country, and making a positive difference in peoples' lives — both people I get to meet personally and those who know me only through my music.

« Back

oySongs - love Jewish music

Give e-Gift