Rita Leonardi graduated from Christopher Newport College with a BA in Fine and Performing Arts, with a concentration in Voice. She also holds an MA in Education from Old Dominion University.

 

Rita has performed in the passion play of Living Pictures, presented by the worship arts department of Liberty Baptist Church for many years, and has directed and produced several children's choir productions at many area churches to include: Donkey Tales, Down by the Creekbank, Praise Rocks and Dirty Jobs, and A Christmas Story. 

 

Rita has spent the last few years in Islamorada, Florida, where she taught music and theatre, developing their theatre program from scratch, and directing several productions, including HONK! and Finding Nemo.

 

She enjoys the one-on-one lessons of vocal training and the focus on the love of music and its many genres.  Her philosophy is to teach the love of singing and the study of voice as an instrument.  "Through the instruction of technique, practice, and interpretation, one can begin to create a style to their own special "instrument," a voice uniquely their own!  It is a gift to be shared."

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Rita has been a part of the Centerstage family since 2008. Many of her former Centerstage students have gone on to perform professionally, attend musical theatre colleges, and more! She is one of our most beloved teachers of all time. Her current students are in for a treat!