Mike Leitzke began his music career at Prospect High School in Mount Prospect, IL, and went on to become a member of the Carolina Crown Drum & Bugle Corps and Rhythm X Indoor percussion ensemble. During his tenure at Rhythm X, the group earned their first WGI World Class Championship.

Mike has taught, arranged, and consulted for many high schools and indoor programs across the United States- including several BOA and WGI National finalists. Mike served as the front ensemble caption head and arranger for Palmetto Percussion, winning the WGI Open Class Championship in 2010 and making PIW Finals for the first time. On the drum corps side, Mike has served on the faculty of the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps and Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps as well as worked as a clinician at the GearWORKS series of educational events sponsored by The Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps from 2009 to 2014. Additionally, Mike served as a designer and educator for the WGI PSW finalist Mt. Juliet Band of Gold and Indoor Drumline.

Presently, Mike is an adjunct faculty member at Franklin High School (TN), a Sudler Shield band program. Mike is an active adjudicator for Bands of America, Winter Guard International, and Drum Corps International. Mike has had the honor of serving on several DCI championships week panels, including both the Open Class and World Class Championship Finals competitions. Mike is the percussion/winds coordinator of the CWEA and SCGC indoor circuits. Mike is proud to be an artist for Mapex/Majestic, Remo Drumheads, Innovative Percussion, Inc and Zildjian Cymbals.

Mike earned his undergraduate degree in Atmospheric Science from the University of South Carolina and is currently an MBA candidate. Mike works for the State of Tennessee.