Diane, founder, executive & artistic director

Diane Downs is the founder and Executive & Artistic Director of The Louisville Leopard Percussionists. A dedicated educator and visionary, she has spent decades shaping young musicians and fostering a love for percussion.

Diane attended Morehead State University, where she initially pursued music education. After taking a year off to teach music in Montego Bay, Jamaica, she returned to Morehead to earn her degree in elementary education. She later achieved both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Morehead State University, as well as Rank 1 status from the University of Louisville. For 28 years, she served as an elementary teacher in Louisville, KY, teaching 2nd and 3rd grade as well as general music.

Her passion for percussion education began in 1993 when she introduced The Fabulous Leopard Percussionists as part of her 2nd/3rd grade class. This initiative evolved into The Louisville Leopard Percussionists, a nonprofit organization she founded in 2003. Under her leadership, the program has flourished, inspiring countless young musicians and serving as a model for similar ensembles nationwide. Diane also consults with elementary percussion programs across the United States including “We Got The Beat” percussion ensemble in Fresno, CA, sharing her expertise and innovative teaching methods.

A highly respected figure in music education, Diane has received numerous awards recognizing her contributions, including the WHAS TV/PNC Bank ExCel Award, Governor’s Award for Excellence in Arts Education, Louisville Arts Council Community Arts Award in Music, Today’s Woman Magazine Most Admired Woman in Louisville in Education Award, National Cable Leaders in Learning Award, ML King Living the Vision Award, John LaPorta Jazz Educator of the Year Award (Jazz Education Network & Berklee College of Music), and the Percussive Arts Society Outstanding Supporter Award.

She is an active member of The Percussive Arts Society, The Jazz Education Network, National Association for Music Education, The Kentucky Music Educators Association, and Impact 100 Louisville.

Outside of Leopards, Diane lives on her small family farm and enjoys spending time caring for her chickens, walking in the woods, and mowing grass. To learn more about Diane, click here: http://wfpl.org/five-things-teacher-diane-downs-on-music-confidence-and-mowing-the-lawn/.   To contact Diane, email her at leopardpercussionists@gmail.com.

Photo credit Kriech-Higdon Photography

Wes, ensemble director

Born in Bethesda, Maryland, Wes Greer began playing drums at the age of ten and studied rudimental snare drum. His passion for music led him to playing drum set, where he focused on different styles including rock, jazz, Latin, and funk.

He pursued a degree in jazz studies at West Virginia University, where he had the opportunity to play in small jazz combos, the WVU big band, concert band, and world music ensembles including: Brazilian, Gamelan, Taiko, African drum and dance, and percussion ensembles. He instructed and performed at the 2017 Newport Jazz Camp, and performed at the 2018 Thailand International Jazz Conference under the direction of Jared Sims.

In 2020, Wes started Manimal Music LLC, which allowed him to open his own private teaching studio where he teaches drum lessons, piano lessons, and percussion lessons. His background in jazz and world music gives him a deep understanding of various styles, and allows him to break down even the hardest of grooves so that the novice musician can understand them.

Wes works with our Leopard Music Lab students, Middle School Ensemble, our advanced and beginner groups, and various other Leopard projects.

While he enjoys teaching, you can also find Wes playing in local bands around Louisville. He has recorded and performed with Honeymack, and is currently playing with the Ruen Brothers on their Ten Paces tour.

Elijah, drum set specialist

Elijah Smith was born and raised in West Louisville.  Elijah began showing interest in music as an infant and picked up drum set by the age of four.  Because of his love and interest for music, he learned violin, piano, and classical guitar by the 8th grade. Throughout high school Elijah participated in concert band, marching band, and jazz band.

Currently, Elijah is attending Simmons College of Kentucky as a music performance major, with a concentration in percussion.  At Simmons, Elijah participated in marching band for three years, and is currently in concert and jazz band. 

Elijah is also a musician and an audio engineer in a few of the local churches in the city of Louisville, and also gives drum lessons.

Elijah joined the Leopards in February 2022 as a drum set specialist.  He plans on using this opportunity to grow and learn as a teacher, leader, and musician, and looks forward to being a part of the future of this program.

Outside of music Elijah enjoys sports, spending time with friends and family, and traveling. 

Demond, ensemble director

Demond Smith began playing drum set as a four year old.  He has extensive experience in participating in and teaching high school and drum corps drum lines.  

By the time he was a preteen he was playing drums at his father’s church, eventually taking over as Director of Music where he played piano, organ, and taught vocal music.     

Demond attended Morehead State University on a music scholarship where he participated in marching band, percussion ensemble, concert & symphonic bands, and jazz band.  He was a member of the MSU Drum Line & Percussion Ensemble which placed 1st at the 1992 Percussive Arts Society International Convention Ensemble Competition.  Demond studied jazz theory at the University of Louisville and finished his degree back at Morehead State University in jazz performance.  Throughout his education Demond was very active as a performer and educator.

Since 1991, Demond has served as a percussion instructor, drum line instructor, and band camp instructor for numerous schools throughout Kentucky and Ohio.  He performed with Dutch Boy Drum & Bugle Corps and The Cadets of Bergen County and served as a percussion tech for the Cadets during their 2003 summer tour.  Demond was also a percussion adjudicator for high school drum lines from 1998-2012.

Since 1995 Demond has served as Director of Music at various churches and since 2004 has been the Director of Music for Little Flock Baptist Church in Louisville.  He is currently the Director of Percussion at Jeffersontown High School where he has been since 2010.  Demond works with LLP’s Leopard Music Lab Students, L.E.A.P groups, and teaches private piano lessons.

In his free time Demond enjoys hanging out with his daughter Jude (who is an Advanced Leopard), spending time in the kitchen making healthy food and green juice, and working out at the gym.  Demond is excited to be a part of such an extraordinary innovative group of musicians and to go on this percussive journey with his daughter, Jude!

Ella, ensemble director

Ella Anderson (she/her/they/them) is a proud Louisville native and a passionate music therapist, educator, and performer. They earned their Bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy from the University of Louisville, where they immersed themselves in a variety of ensembles, including wind ensembles, Symphony Orchestra, steel band, percussion ensembles, and the new music ensemble.

As a licensed music therapist (MT-BC) with Restorative Sound LLC, Ella brings a deep appreciation for the transformative power of music. Their musical journey began at the age of 8 with piano, quickly expanding to percussion—a path that continues to shape their dynamic career.

Ella joined the LLP team in August 2022 and currently serves as the ensemble director for both steel ensembles and the middle school ensemble. In addition to directing, they lead the advanced group and contribute to various Leopard projects as a teacher and arranger.

Beyond LLP, Ella is a dedicated lesson and percussion sectional instructor for schools in Jefferson and Bullitt counties, with a primary focus on their alma mater, Louisville Male High School. They work closely with both concert and competitive groups, nurturing young musicians’ growth. Ella is also an active performer, regularly gigging in concert settings and playing with community ensembles such as the Louisville Winds and the Brass Band of Louisville.

Passionate about fostering musical excellence and creativity, Ella thrives in their role with the LLP—whether teaching, arranging, or serving as a versatile resource for the Leopards’ crew. When not making music, they enjoy exploring Louisville’s local scene, supporting fellow musicians at gigs, hiking, and balancing life with a coffee in one hand and a keyboard mallet in the other.

Pete, ensemble director

Pete Jones, a native of Concord, NH, embarked on his musical journey by immersing himself in the world of jazz under the guidance of mentors Tim Gilmore and Dave Tonkin. They instilled in Pete the value of attentive listening and understanding the ensemble as a cohesive whole.

During his philosophy studies at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, Pete delved into the realm of African music. This new venture taught him that sometimes, one’s ears may not be attuned to grasping the entirety of an ensemble.

Under the guidance of Jay Johnson, Pete was introduced to West African music, primarily focusing on the rhythms of the Ewe people. He also explored Afro-Cuban music and various other rhythmic traditions, broadening his musical horizons. This diverse exposure, guided by Jay, instilled in Pete a deep appreciation for adopting multiple perspectives as a learning approach. It taught him to ask, “Where is the One?” Understanding that there are as many “ones” and pulses as there are perspectives one is open to hearing. Sometimes, learning requires hearing things another way.

Dani, ensemble director

Dani Markham began playing with The Fabulous Leopard Percussionists as an 8 year old, where she discovered her love for music. Today, Markham is one of the most daring and inventive percussionists working today, and is in high demand across the pop and contemporary music world, as well as the New York theatre scene. As a touring member of influential bands Tune Yards and Grammy-winner Childish Gambino (Donald Glover), Dani has played all around the world. Recent stage appearances include the 2018 Grammy Music Awards with Childish Gambino, onstage drumming for Sonya Tayeh’s acclaimed ‘You’ll Still Call Me By My Name’, and as a featured guest on Saturday Night Live. Markham is a Latin Percussion and Musser endorsed artist, and is a graduate from the acclaimed Frost School of Music of The University of Miami.

Dani works with our high school kids in our Leopard Music Lab, where she shares her extensive knowledge of music production with the high schoolers, many of whom have been in our program for 10 or more years.  She also co-directs our World Drumming Friday group and helps out with our Advanced and L.E.A.P. groups as needed.

Jackie, ensemble director

Jackie earned her Bachelor of Music in Instrumental Performance from the University of Louisville, where she studied with Matthew Karr and was honored as a Presser Foundation scholar. Before college, she studied with Roger Soren and attended the Youth Performing Arts School in Louisville. Throughout her studies, Jackie participated in the Interlochen Summer Music Institute, the National Symphony Orchestra Summer Music Institute, and the Imani Winds Chamber Music Festival at Juilliard, and is an alum of the American Wind Symphony Orchestra. She has performed at the Academy of Music in Katowice, Poland, as well as in venues in Costa Rica and Switzerland. Jackie has played with the Louisville Orchestra, Owensboro Symphony, Evansville Philharmonic, Orchestra Indiana, Columbus Indiana Philharmonic, and Orchestra Enigmatic. Other bassoonists she has studied with include George Sakakeeny, Jeff Keesecker, Steven Wilson, Sue Heineman, and Monica Ellis. She is also a member of the artist faculty at Mozart in the Knobs. Jackie was one of the musicians on the GRAMMY Award-winning recording The American Project with the Louisville Orchestra and Yuja Wang. She also performs with community groups such as the Louisville Winds and Chamber Winds Louisville. In recent years, she has also performed with the Phoenix Down RPG Trio at IDRS and ICA.

Unique in her versatility, Jackie not only performs with classical ensembles but also collaborates with rock and experimental groups. Since 2011, she has been a member of the art-rock band Ut Gret. She has also performed, toured, and recorded with Sapat, Waterbirds, Cat Casual, The Ford Theatre Reunion, Adjy, Tim Barnes, The Mothership Ensemble, Camera Lucida, il Troubadore, NovemberGroup, Dane Waters, Eugene Chadbourne, and Jecorey “1200” Arthur. Indicative of her commitment to musical expression across genres, she is also part of the experimental quartet Sun Variations, which hosts a monthly cross-disciplinary jam. Jackie teaches improvisation workshops for Out Loud Louisville and integrates music theory and improvisation into her lessons with students. She also coaches the Beginner Group with the Louisville Leopard Percussionists and has taught privately for over 10 years. Currently, she teaches privately and at the Louisville Academy of Music. (Photo by Jo Morecraft.)

Allison, ensemble director

Allison Cross is a multi-genre artist and musician. She is a Board-Certified Music Therapist, a business owner, a trombonist, a DJ, and a producer. She has played trombone since age 12 and graduated from University of Louisville’s music therapy program in 2010. She is the current owner of Restorative Sound, LLC which exists to address the physical, psychological, cognitive and social needs of individuals in Louisville.

Allison has had the pleasure of helping to launch and develop a few of the extra curricular music programs in Louisville including AMPED, Girls Rock (GRL), Restorative Sound, and is now working with the Middle School Ensemble in The Leopards. As of 2022, GRL has rebranded to Out Loud Louisville, of which Allison is the current Program Director.

Allison enjoys building friendships and playing opportunities with people from all walks of life. She enjoys building her knowledge of percussion and spending time with the Leopards crew!

Max, ensemble director

Max Neblett (Greg) holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Morehead State University (2012), where he performed with the Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Percussion Ensemble, Concert Choir, and Black Gospel Ensemble, touring across Kentucky and internationally in Spain, Budapest, and Hungary.

He earned Master’s degrees in Wind Band Conducting and Orchestral Conducting from the University of Louisville, where he served as a Teaching Assistant for the UofL Bands Program and Assistant Conductor for the UofL Symphony Orchestra.

An accomplished percussionist, Max has performed with Louisville Winds (Nan Moore), Chamber Winds of Louisville/Louisville Concert Band (Dr. Frederick Speck), and Voices of Kentuckiana (Kimcherie Lloyd).

A passionate musician, Max is dedicated to working with students and aims to help them grow and mature not only in their musicianship but also in their humanity.

Zoey, ensemble director

Zoey Mullins moved to Louisville in 2019, where she graduated from the University of Louisville with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy. In her time at UofL, Zoey studied percussion, piano, guitar, and ukulele.

Zoey is a Board-Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC) practicing with Restorative Sound LLC. She began her musical journey at the age of 8 with piano and percussion at the age of 10. She began working with Leopards in 2023 and currently serves as an ensemble director for LEAP. Zoey is passionate about music’s ability to connect people, and loves using it to serve her community.

Outside of Leopards, Zoey enjoys live music, spending time with friends and family, and collecting tattoos!

Zero, administrative volunteer

Zero joined The Leopards as a Leopards Lite member when they were only 7 years old.  They graduated to our Beginners group after a year in Lite, then graduated again to our Advanced group.  Zero coordinates our DJs for our WXOX-FM radio show every Tuesday at 4PM.

Zero joined their elementary school violin club in kindergarten, and later did choir all throughout middle school. This was thanks to them being drawn to performing music. They currently attend school at Atherton High School.

Outside of Leopards they are a part of many clubs at their school, including Chess club and Dungeons & Dragons club. Though, while they do enjoy spending time with their friends, they’re always happy to just spend time in their room listening to music or reading.

Tank, teaching volunteer

Shawn Stinson, AKA Tank, helps instruct our Advanced and Beginner Leopard groups, concentrating on drum parts as well as serving as a conductor.  Tank has participated in our Leopards Lite group, our Middle School Ensemble, our World Drumming Friday group, and is currently in our Steel Leopards.

Tank attended Lincoln Performing Arts Elementary School and is currently an 8th grader at Western Middle School for the Arts, where his major is band and his minor is choir.  Tank is also an active musician at his church, Second Baptist Church of Fairfield, where he plays drum set, organ, and piano in the church band.

Outside of music, Tank enjoys cooking, baking, and spending time with his family of 10.

Meg, specialist

Meg Samples Morrow hails from Mt. Sterling, KY and started working with the Leopards in November of 2008.  She graduated from the University of Louisville Jamey Aebersold Jazz Program in 2010 with a Bachelors of Arts in Jazz drum set.

Meg co-directed the Advanced and Beginner groups.  Her main focus with the program was arranging and drum set instruction.

She is currently based in Portland, OR where she is the on air host at KMHD Jazz Radio and is the executive director of the Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble.  She still works with the Leopards at our summer camp and always stops by when she comes back home to visit.

Mason, camp teacher

A native of Louisville, KY and a graduate of DuPont Manual/Youth Performing School, Mason F. Allen’s love for music manifested itself early in his life.  He is an accomplished percussionist, and a Louisville Leopard Percussionist alum.  He is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University and is currently employed as an audio engineer/music producer by Atlantic Records in Los Angeles, California.  He also does work for Roc Nation.  His musical accomplishments include, RIAA Certified Platinum selling single for Roddy Ricch, Every Season (recording engineer); RIAA Certified Gold selling album for Roddy Ricch Feed Tha Streets 2 (recording engineer); and released his first EP in 2018 entitled Forrest EP Vol. 1: Floral Forrest.  Mason has been an instructor for the Leopards summer camp for 7 years and enjoys coaching young aspiring Leopards.  Mason says, “I enjoy giving back to the kids.  They inspire me!”.

David, camp teacher

In second grade, David Williams sat at his father’s drum set and would never look back. An irreplicable joy was found that day that is evident to this day in his music. He would go on to join the Leopards the next year, later taking part in their viral “Zeppelin!” video as well as playing live at Forecastle, TedX, Ozzy and Jack’s World Detour, and many more. David would also discover GarageBand in late elementary school and begin writing his own music – without even realizing it. Constantly consuming and learning about music, it slowly beat out his passions for baseball and tennis and became his sole focus.

Drawing influence from Sting, Steely Dan, Stevie Wonder, The Foo Fighters, and more, David is a versatile drummer/percussionist who is happy to play good music in any genre.

David is now a Commercial Percussion (Songwriting Emphasis) major at Belmont University, where he plays with PHNX ensemble, Jazz Band 1, and a plethora of Belmont and greater Nashville area artists (as well as frequently co-writing with local songwriters). Along with teaching summer camps and private lessons, he also leads a funk band, The Groove Loops, and is currently working on his first original album as a solo artist (McCully). On the off chance he isn’t playing music, David enjoys watching baseball, building Lego, and hanging out with his dog, Miles Davis.

Aaron, specialist

Aaron Klausing, a graduate of Oldham County High School (1999), completed his high school education with a variety of musical recognitions. While receiving his bachelor’s degree from the University of Kentucky in Music Education (2004), Aaron was involved in the University of Kentucky’s percussion ensemble, orchestra, symphonic band, marching band, pep band, and steel band. During the summer of 2000, he marched with the Southwind Drum and Bugle Corp and has played in the Americana Folk band, the Rainjunkies®, from Lexington, Kentucky. Aaron has also performed at the PASIC, KMEA, and with the Appalachian Brass Orchestra. In addition to his performances, he has arranged and composed music for various middle and high schools in Kentucky.

Aaron attended the University of Louisville’s school of music where he graduated with his master’s degree in music education in 2010. While attending UofL, Aaron served as the principal percussionist in the University Wind Ensemble.

Aaron joined the Leopards in January of 2008 as a teacher and arranger, and also started The Steel Leopards in 2009 as lead teacher and arranger. Aaron currently teaches band in Owensboro, KY but still helps with the Leopards.

Board of Directors

• Tricia Williams, president
• Devon Woodlee, vice president
• Trent Stigler, treasurer
• Candace Curtis, secretary
• John Scruton, legal
• Adam Loewy, at large
• Kristin Wingfeld, at large
• Colleen Conley, at large
• Laura Wheeler, at large
• Peter Tower, at large
• Taylor Garver, at large
• Diane Downs, founder

Operations Director

• Caroline Taylor