‘You need passion, commitment and focus,’ says Trebas Institute founder

In addition to becoming an impresario, Leonard recorded more than 100 bands in his home studio, including Canadian musical group The Beau-Marks and pop singers René Angélil and Patsy Gallant. In New York City in 1964, after booking Montreal band Bartholomew Plus 3, which he managed, at the Peppermint Lounge off Times Square, Leonard presented himself at Beltone Recording Studios off Broadway, played them some 45s he’d recorded in his home studio and promptly got a job.

Mastering the great Otis Redding

Leonard worked as second engineer on star-studded sessions at Beltone until he got his big break in 1965: He worked as the mastering engineer on the classic Otis Blue album by soul legend Otis Redding. He also recorded Dee Dee Warwick’s I Want To Be With You, a Billboard top 10 record.

By the late 1960s, Leonard had returned to Montreal to complete a degree at Sir George Williams. He was a dean’s honour student and member of the Garnet Key Society, a representative group of Concordia students who hold high academic standing and are involved in extracurricular activities.

A decade later, in 1979, Leonard established the Trebas Institute, which offers accredited academic programs in the recording arts and technologies, and the music business. Today, more than 20,000 students from around the world have graduated from Trebas campuses across North America, with Montreal as its head office.

Trebas grads have won more than a dozen Grammy Awards and are in senior executive positions at leading music business organizations. Alumni have worked with the likes of Paul McCartney, Celine Dion, Drake, Elton John, Robert Plant and Madonna. Trebas-sponsored guest lecturers have included Lionel Richie, Beatles’ producer George Martin, music industry executive Clive Davis, and producer Phil Spector.

Concordia influence

Leonard notes his Concordia courses in instructional design and educational management influenced the way he created and structured his own college.

Trebas was ahead of the curve: “We introduced digital courses in 1979 and in music video in 1980,” Leonard says. “We don’t just teach students looking for jobs in the music business. Our students also go on to work in other industries, such as banks, insurance companies and hospitals that have audio-visual departments for archival and training purposes.”

Leonard’s accolades include being named president of the American Music and Entertainment Industry Educators Association in Nashville and serving on the board of directors of the National Association of Career Colleges.

Memoir of a life in showbiz

In 2020, Leonard, now 81, sold Trebas to Global University Systems — but that doesn’t mean he is slowing down. Leonard is writing a memoir, to be published in 2022, about his life in showbiz and education, working with the likes of Roy Orbison, Anne Murray, Miles Davis and Chet Atkins, among others.

The memoir will include anecdotes like the time Leonard spent time with The Beatles between shows in Montreal when the band headlined two concerts at the Forum on September 8, 1964. He additionally produced The Beatles Are Coming record on the London label.

Thrilled that Trebas is now part of the Global University Systems network of colleges operating in 40 countries, with 80,000 students annually, Leonard adds, “To make it in this business, you need passion, commitment and focus. You need motivation and networking. And fear — fear of failure. Fear of success is always there. You have to see it through.”