Leon's life is music, his spirit is entertainment. At three, he was inspired by Josh White and today he is inspiring others as a performer and instructor. Leon attended The High School of Performing Arts in New York City. There he met and performed with poet Langston Hughes. While at the School of Performing Arts, he played regularly at Greenwich Village coffee houses. Leon went on to study with Andres Segovia and attend the Manhattan School of Music. He holds degrees from The School of Performing Arts and The International Course of Music, Santiago de Campostela, Spain. Leon's musical journey has taken him around the world allowing him to share the stage with the likes of Ron Carter, Mary Lou Williams and The Alvin Ailey Ballet to name a few. In 1974 he debuted at Town Hall and the following year he played Carnegie Hall. Leon currently heads the guitar program at Eastern Washington University and is the host of The Guitar Hour on KPBX, NPR affiliate. For over three decades Leon Atkinson has shared his gift and inspired countless players with his love for the guitar.