Coral Springs Teen Earns Spot in Macy’s Great American Marching Band for Thanksgiving Day Parade

by Sharon Aron Baron November 29, 2025

by Sharon Aron Baron November 29, 2025 1 minutes read

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Brody Leao at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. {courtesy}

A Coral Springs teen took center stage on one of the nation’s biggest holiday traditions after earning a coveted spot in the Macy’s Great American Marching Band.

Fifteen-year-old Brody Leao, a lifelong musician and current 10th-grader in the Fine Arts Academy at North Broward Preparatory School, marched in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, an honor reserved for some of the country’s top high-school performers.

Leao, who has secured a place in the Florida All-State Band every year since seventh grade, auditioned for the national ensemble entirely on his own this fall. He was selected from a competitive pool of applicants nationwide. According to his family, he is believed to be the only Coral Springs student chosen for this year’s group.

His musical path began early. As a student in the Ramblewood Middle School band program, Leao flourished under the instruction of longtime band director Mr. Nista, who recognized his talent and helped cultivate his musical growth.

Brody Leao {courtesy}

“The Macy’s Great American Marching Band is one of the most selective and respected marching opportunities in the country,” Leao’s mother, Jennifer, said, adding they are incredibly proud Brody represented the community on such a major stage.

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Sharon Aron Baron

Editor of Talk Media and writer for Coral Springs Talk. CST was created in 2012 to provide News, Views, and Entertainment for the residents of Coral Springs and the rest of South Florida.