Leigh Berkley

Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Leigh started her teaching career in Bedford County, Virginia in 2004 after graduating from Virginia Tech. After teaching band at Bedford Middle School and Liberty High School for four years, Leigh left to pursue her master’s degree in Music Education at the University of Maryland-College Park. Upon returning to Bedford County, Leigh was fortunate enough to find the wonderful people at James River Day School and began teaching band here in 2011. By 2012, Leigh was teaching band, elementary general music, and beginning violin. In 2015, she added orchestra director to her list of duties at James River Day School. In 2024, Leigh also became a middle school advisor because she loves interacting with the students.
 
Leigh met her husband, Justin, at Virginia Tech in the marching band, the Marching Virginians, in 2000. They got married in 2006 and have three sons (Jack, Callan, and Miles), and a boxer named Tyson. Leigh and her family love traveling, especially to places where they can scuba dive or attend exciting musical performances. Every fall, you will find them in Blacksburg at the football games cheering on the Hokies. Leigh is a frequent performer with the Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra and other ensembles within the community.