Leisner, David
Leisner, David
Leisner, David, American guitarist, teacher, and composer; b. Los Angeles, Dec. 22, 1953. He was educated at Wesleyan Univ. (B.A., 1976), received instruction in guitar from John Duarte, David Starobin, and Angelo Guardino, in interpretation from John Kirk-patrick and Karen Tuttle, and in composition from Richard Winslow; won second prize at the Toronto International Guitar Competition (1975) and a silver medal at the Geneva International Guitar Competition (1981). He made his N.Y. debut in 1979, then toured extensively. He taught guitar at Amherst Coll. (1976–78) and at the New England Cons, of Music in Boston (from 1980). From 1993 he taught at the Manhattan School of Music in N.Y. He became well known for his programming of contemporary American music at his concerts. His own compositions include pieces for solo guitar and duos for guitar and viola, cello, or voice.
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire