We had the good fortune of connecting with Billy Leenheer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Billy, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
As a music teacher, “work life balance” was never something that I thought about. Teaching is pretty much a 24/7 career, planning lessons, grading, thinking about future lessons, and so forth, and if I wasn’t working at school I was making reeds for my business. So it was always a struggle to take any time for myself.

More recently, I’ve shifted into a career teaching preschool in an environment that actually encourages a more healthy work life balance, and this has really helped me to focus less on work when away from work. I also feel less guilt when away from work for sickness, and has allowed me to feel comfortable taking time off for family, or even my business like when I was able to attend the International Double Reed Society’s (IDRS) conference this year. This has helped free up my thinking to focus less on work outside of work hours and given me less stress at home, as I am able to get things I need done for work at work. I am still working on making time for myself and focusing less on school when I am not there, but I am able to make it a priority now rather than a fantasy. Allowing me to focus more on my business and how I am making my reeds and giving me the time and the mental bandwidth to even try new things with my reeds!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
During the week, I work full-time with children ages three through five as a preschool teacher here in Longmont. Before that I was a music teacher with K-8 students for many years, teaching band, orchestra, choral, and general music. So my teaching career has sort of been a journey in it’s own, but I think that I have truly found a place that I feel appreciates me and that fulfills me in the work I do with the children each day. Teaching music was something I was always passionate about, but I often found myself thinking how I could give more to the community while still educating and working with children. I am glad I took a step out of my comfort zone and opened myself up to the possibility of doing something new, it has also allowed me to focus more on my personal business, Billy’s Bassoon Reeds!

When I’m not working with children, I am making personalized bassoon and contrabassoon reeds for bassoonists around the world! I started making bassoon reeds back in 2015 for myself and other bassoonists at the University of Memphis. Before that I was making reeds for myself and friends but after graduating from the University of Delaware and moving to Memphis, I was encouraged to create an EtsyShop in order to make my reeds available to people on the East Coast and around the country while in Tennessee. I then moved to Arizona and lived there for quite a few years, which is where my business was able to really get some momentum. Being on the West Coast, I was able to begin focusing my reeds more on higher altitude playing and honing my skills, and my business, in that direction. Over time I learned how to combat different altitudes and humidities, and eventually moved up to Colorado in 2022 where those skills were truly put to the test. Honestly, one of the biggest challenges I’ve faced in my business has been moving and adapting to a variety of climates, humidities, and altitudes. From New Jersey to Delaware, to Tennessee, to Arizona, and then Colorado I’ve learned how to make reeds in a variety of ways and to support such a wide range of bassoonists, and use these skills to make my high altitude reeds as close to my costumers’ specifications as I am able to!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
One of my favorite things to do in Longmont is walk around Old Town and Downtown. Longmont is always doing something with ArtWalks, festivals, community nights, and so much more. It is always so much fun to just walk down the street and see what is going on, especially on the weekends!

Personally, I love being outdoors, so I also always recommend the many hiking trails and parks in the area to spend some time in nature! There are quite a few options both in an around Longmont and many of them connect if you’re interested in a nice long bike ride or run.

There’s also quite a few fantastic restaurants, coffee shops, and breweries around town, Rosalee’s Pizza, 99 Bar, Janie’s Cafe, and Wibby Brewing just to name a few, and each is unique, delicious, and fun in it’s own way!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First of all, I need to shout out my parents and sister. Without them, their love, and their support, I absolutely would not be where I am today. I can never thank them enough!

I would also like to shout out the OURCenter and the Aspen Center here in Longmont. The OURCenter is a non-profit organization that supports the community of Longmont and the Aspen Center for Child Development (where I work) is a childcare center and preschool that is part of the OURCenter. Without the support of these organizations I really don’t think I would feel as confident or gratified in my professional life as I do now.

Website: https://Www.billysbassoonreeds.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billysbassoonreeds?igsh=eDlwYTE3ejVsbHFn

Twitter: https://x.com/BillysReeds?s=09

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BillysBassoonReeds?mibextid=ZbWKwL

Image Credits
Billy Leenheer

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.