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Leon DeShields is a distinguished choral conductor, countertenor, and dedicated advocate for equity in the arts and higher education. Currently serving as the Artistic Director of The Rainbow Chorale of Delaware and a Choral Conductor at the Choir School of Delaware, he utilizes music as a powerful tool for community building and human dialogue.

Grounded in authenticity and cultural inclusivity, DeShields’s musical career spans across the United States and Europe. His current leadership roles include leading The Rainbow Chorale of Delaware and its chamber group, Prism; developing music curricula for the Choir School of Delaware; and managing strategic planning through Resonance at the Leon DeShields Dark Arts Studio. Additionally, he delivers instruction in music theory and music history at the University of Delaware.

He is a featured contributor to the recording "Walking Through the Valley: Choral Music from Black Composers, 1919–2022" and has earned accolades such as the Ernst Bacon Memorial Award and the American Prize in Choral Performance.



DeShields is a "force for DEI-related issues," committed to uplifting marginalized voices. His administrative background at the University of Delaware includes strengthening mentorship networks and coordinating the Mentor Collective Partnership to promote institutional equity.

A native of southern Delaware, DeShields holds a Master of Music in Choral Conducting and a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance from the University of Delaware. His work is guided by six core values—Acceptance, Challenge, Optimism, Determination, Understanding, and Truth—and he remains a member of NATS, ACDA, and the Bent But Not Broken Choral Music Conference.