Lana Kay Leeds Swanson

Lana Kay Leeds Swanson, 63, Austin teacher, musician and survivor of the University of Texas Tower shooting, died of pancreatic cancer late Sunday. For decades, Leeds — the professional name under which she was best known — trained young talents in voice, theater and piano. She founded the Austin Children's Repertoire Company and taught at Zach Theatre, among other cultural institutions. Not content with only bringing children and young adults up to professional standards, she also organized annual Christmas shows for senior citizens at the Summit assisted-living facilities. Most recently, Leeds worked with stage director Jacki Loewenstein as music director of "Wanda's World" and the upcoming "Willy Wonka Jr." at Zach Theatre. An alumnus of the University of Texas music department, she was known as Lana Phillips when, at age 21, Charles Whitman sprayed the UT campus with bullets from the Tower. When Phillips was hit outside a clothing store on Guadalupe Street, her shoulder was gashed, keeping her from playing the organ, her primary musical instrument, for a time. "I wasn't scared until I got shot," she told a newspaper reporter in 1966. "I was watching the Tower and watching people get shot. I didn't think I was within range. Plus I was standing behind some other people, and I thought they would get shot before I would. I was wrong." Leeds also conquered advanced lymphoma when her now-adult children were still very young. "She always had a strong survival instinct," Loewenstein said. "She loved life and felt a need to live life to the fullest. She was the most spirited, positive, warm teacher I've ever worked with. She could give anyone confidence. She helped them find their voices." She is survived by husband Murrey Swanson, children Megan and Stuart Mitchell, sister Marsha Hogue, and father Marshall Phillips. Services are planned for 2 p.m. Friday at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home on North Lamar Boulevard.