PIZITZ - Key Persons
Leah Seng is in her 13th year at Pizitz Middle School, and her 21st year of teaching. A pianist and clarinetist, Mrs. Seng is a native of Chelsea, Alabama.
During her tenure at Pizitz, the band performed at The Midwest international Band and Orchestra Clinic, Music For All National Middle School Band Festival, Southern Division CBDNA/NBA Conference, Music for All Southeastern Regional Concert Band Festival and the Alabama Music Educators Association Professional Development Conference as well as been an invited ensemble at the University of Alabama, Auburn University, Troy University and UAB honor band festivals. The band program has received the NBA Blue Ribbon Award of Excellence and the John Philip Sousa Foundation Sudler Cup.
Prior to serving at Pizitz, Mrs. Seng established the band program at Columbiana Middle School. Her bands have been consistently recognized with superior ratings at Alabama's Music Performance Assessment. In 2018, Mrs. Seng was named Pizitz Middle School Teacher of the Year. The previous year, she was selected as Rotary Teacher of the Year for Pizitz. She served on the staff of the University of Alabama Crimson Music Camp from 2001-2013, and is active as a guest clinician and conductor for middle school bands throughout the region. Mrs. Seng is a board member and clarinetist for the Alabama Winds community band. She currently serves as the Vice Chair for the District IV of the Alabama Bandmasters Association. Mrs. Seng has presented clinic sessions at the Alabama Music Educators Association and Alabama All-State Band Festival.
Mrs. Seng holds the degrees of Bachelor of Science in Music Education from the University of Alabama, Master of Music Education from the University of Georgia, and Educational Specialist in Music Education from the University of Alabama. Her professional affiliations include the National Band Association, National Association for Music Education, Alabama Music Educators Association, and the Alabama Bandmasters Association. In 2022, Mrs. Seng earned National Board Certification in Early and Middle Childhood Music.
Leah is married to Jordan, and has two children, Julia and Jordan Jr.
Victoria Chambless is in her 3rd year as the Assistant Band Director at Pizitz Middle School. She began her teaching career as the 6th-12th grade Band Director at Hamilton High School in Hamilton, Alabama. She came to Pizitz from Rudd Middle School in Pinson, Alabama, where she served as the Director of Bands. Bands under the direction of Mrs. Chambless consistently receive superior ratings at the Alabama Music Performance Assessment each year. She was named "Teacher of the Year" at Rudd Middle School for the 2020-2021 school year.