The Leopold Legacy
"Every natural being in the world has a pulse, rhythm, and pattern expressed in a variety of ways. Music is an example; it is an integral component of human existence that knows no boundaries. It enhances our reasoning, our emotions, and our intelligence." -Blake Leopold
Founders Blake and Esther Leopold
The Leopold School of Voice and Piano was officially founded in the year 2000 by husband and wife team Blake and Esther Leopold.
The Story
In 1992 Blake and Esther Leopold moved to the Tampa Bay, Mr. Leopold was offered a position as president of St. Petersburg Opera Company (a different company than the present SPO). They began teaching privately in Carrollwood and also took positions as music director and accompanist for Bayside Community Church.
Shortly after Mr. Leopold met Ron Billingsley, a fellow singer and teacher, and the two toured together performing. Mr. Billingsley was also a professor at Clearwater Christian College. In the late 90s the Leopolds moved to Brandon, FL and began offering in-home lessons and started a girls choir. The girls choir was quite a success at the time. Growing in a short time from just 6 girls to a 50 voice choir called the Tampa Treble Choir. They were invited to sing in Washington D.C. on the floor of the Senate as well as various other local venues like Hyde Park and Tampa Theatre.
At this point there weren’t many music schools in south Tampa for young singers or budding professionals- seeing this deficit, the Leopolds opened up their own private studio, The Leopold School of Voice and Piano, in March 2000 on Armenia Avenue. They had two main goals for their business: to provide quality voice and piano training, and to provide employment opportunities for music instructors to be paid their worth. At the time The Leopold School was run in tandem with their Brandon in-home business, but due to demand they eventually dissolved the in-home business and focused solely on The Leopold School.
The Story
In 1992 Blake and Esther Leopold moved to the Tampa Bay, Mr. Leopold was offered a position as president of St. Petersburg Opera Company (a different company than the present SPO). They began teaching privately in Carrollwood and also took positions as music director and accompanist for Bayside Community Church.
Shortly after Mr. Leopold met Ron Billingsley, a fellow singer and teacher, and the two toured together performing. Mr. Billingsley was also a professor at Clearwater Christian College. In the late 90s the Leopolds moved to Brandon, FL and began offering in-home lessons and started a girls choir. The girls choir was quite a success at the time. Growing in a short time from just 6 girls to a 50 voice choir called the Tampa Treble Choir. They were invited to sing in Washington D.C. on the floor of the Senate as well as various other local venues like Hyde Park and Tampa Theatre.
At this point there weren’t many music schools in south Tampa for young singers or budding professionals- seeing this deficit, the Leopolds opened up their own private studio, The Leopold School of Voice and Piano, in March 2000 on Armenia Avenue. They had two main goals for their business: to provide quality voice and piano training, and to provide employment opportunities for music instructors to be paid their worth. At the time The Leopold School was run in tandem with their Brandon in-home business, but due to demand they eventually dissolved the in-home business and focused solely on The Leopold School.
Amanda Enriquez and Blake Leopold
In the 2000s there was an increase in high school performers that attended the studio, including students from Blake High School, Berkeley, Tampa Prep, Academy of the Holy Names, and Jesuit. Many of the students from the Armenia location pursued music as a career, ranging from performers, teachers, private artists, solo singers, and songwriters. It was a this time (2002) that current Leopold instructors and operators Amanda Enriquez and Tania Enriquez Navarro began their training with Mr. Leopold, they were 11 and 14 years old respectively. Over the last 20 years, the Leopold School of Voice and Piano was featured 4 times on “What’s Right with Tampa Bay”, they prepared students for college, professional careers, and young artists programs abroad, and employed 15+ private music teachers.
Unfortunately the Armenia building was riddled with issues that deteriorated over the years, and the Leopolds had to relocate. In 2011 the studio moved to the 3603 West Azeele Street location, where it continues to reside today.
In 2015, Amanda Enriquez was hired by Mr and Mrs. Leopold as a private voice instructor, and they became her mentors and friends. Demonstrating how to own and operate a music studio while fine-tuning her skills as a voice instructor.
In 2018, the Leopolds officially transitioned ownership of the business to Amanda Enriquez, while maintaining their teaching positions at the studio. They continue to teach and mentor virtually, but their presence is greatly missed in the studio building. Without a doubt they have left their legacy for musical excellence in the Tampa Bay, but beyond that, they have created a legacy of love and passion for music that has been passed on to each student over the last 28 years.
Unfortunately the Armenia building was riddled with issues that deteriorated over the years, and the Leopolds had to relocate. In 2011 the studio moved to the 3603 West Azeele Street location, where it continues to reside today.
In 2015, Amanda Enriquez was hired by Mr and Mrs. Leopold as a private voice instructor, and they became her mentors and friends. Demonstrating how to own and operate a music studio while fine-tuning her skills as a voice instructor.
In 2018, the Leopolds officially transitioned ownership of the business to Amanda Enriquez, while maintaining their teaching positions at the studio. They continue to teach and mentor virtually, but their presence is greatly missed in the studio building. Without a doubt they have left their legacy for musical excellence in the Tampa Bay, but beyond that, they have created a legacy of love and passion for music that has been passed on to each student over the last 28 years.
Many of our students have received substantial scholarships to universities and colleges with some of the best music programs in the country including:
Our students are regular winners in a variety of recognized competitions:
