Leela Grace is a nationally-known singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, recording artist, percussive dancer and teacher of music and dance originally from Missouri. Since moving to Portland, Oregon in 2007, she has built a tremendous following, teaching popular banjo, harmony singing, and clogging classes. She has also made a name for herself performing locally and nationally as a solo artist, with her sister, Ellie Grace, and with some of the finest musicians in the Northwest. In 2018, she opened her own school of music and dance in Portland, Rose City Folk School. She also directs two vocal ensembles, ResistSing! and Rose City Folk Chorus.
Leela is the owner and primary teacher at Rose City Folk School. The school is home to a variety of classes, lessons, and workshops for all ages. The focus is on making the joy of music accessible and welcoming to all, regardless of background, "talent," or experience. The school offers exceptional and community-oriented instruction in clawhammer banjo, by-ear harmony singing, Appalachian clogging, and more to anyone with a desire to learn (be you a complete beginner or an experienced musician seeking a new challenge). Classes and lessons are available in person in Portland, Oregon and remotely anywhere!
Leela has performed and taught nationally for over 30 years, first with her family (as a child), and now as a solo musician and with her sister Ellie Grace (as Leela and Ellie Grace). She has earned critical and audience praise for the "great depth and insight" of her original songs, which have been featured on NPR's All Songs Considered and chosen for inclusion on a "Best of Portland Acoustic Music" compilation CD. She picked up the banjo as a young teen and has developed her own exceptional clawhammer banjo style, marked by clear, bright melodies and powerful rhythm. Leela is also recognized as a dynamic percussive dancer whose style draws most strongly from Appalachian clogging, but also incorporates Irish step dance, rhythm tap, body percussion, and much more.
In the midst of a global pandemic, a world literally and figuratively on fire, and a seemingly endless array of injustices mounting, Leela is raising young children and seeking small, imperfect ways to make a difference. She seeks to use her music and her teaching to uplift her fellow humans, fight for the most vulnerable, and bring her intersecting and often far-flung communities together in harmony.
Leela is the owner and primary teacher at Rose City Folk School. The school is home to a variety of classes, lessons, and workshops for all ages. The focus is on making the joy of music accessible and welcoming to all, regardless of background, "talent," or experience. The school offers exceptional and community-oriented instruction in clawhammer banjo, by-ear harmony singing, Appalachian clogging, and more to anyone with a desire to learn (be you a complete beginner or an experienced musician seeking a new challenge). Classes and lessons are available in person in Portland, Oregon and remotely anywhere!
Leela has performed and taught nationally for over 30 years, first with her family (as a child), and now as a solo musician and with her sister Ellie Grace (as Leela and Ellie Grace). She has earned critical and audience praise for the "great depth and insight" of her original songs, which have been featured on NPR's All Songs Considered and chosen for inclusion on a "Best of Portland Acoustic Music" compilation CD. She picked up the banjo as a young teen and has developed her own exceptional clawhammer banjo style, marked by clear, bright melodies and powerful rhythm. Leela is also recognized as a dynamic percussive dancer whose style draws most strongly from Appalachian clogging, but also incorporates Irish step dance, rhythm tap, body percussion, and much more.
In the midst of a global pandemic, a world literally and figuratively on fire, and a seemingly endless array of injustices mounting, Leela is raising young children and seeking small, imperfect ways to make a difference. She seeks to use her music and her teaching to uplift her fellow humans, fight for the most vulnerable, and bring her intersecting and often far-flung communities together in harmony.