Mike Leitzke began his percussion career at Prospect High School in Mount Prospect, Illinois, 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. Additionally, Mike served as the front ensemble caption head/arranger for Palmetto Percussion from 2009-2011. During that time the ensemble won the 2010 WGI Open Class World Championship and made PIW Finals for the first time. Mike also served as a clinician at the GearWORKS series of educational events sponsored by The Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps from 2009 to 2014. Mike was on the percussion faculty of the Colts Drum & Bugle corps for the 2010 season, and was the front ensemble coordinator for the Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps in 2011.

Presently, Mike is an active adjudicator for Drum Corps International and has had the honor of serving on panels for both the Open Class and World Class championship finals competitions. Mike is also extremely fortunate to judge across the country in a variety of circuits during the indoor percussion season. Mike is an educational artist for Innovative Percussion, Inc.

Mike earned a degree in Atmospheric Science from the University of South Carolina and works for the State of Tennessee.