Born March 28, 1932, in Bridgeport, Illinois, Leif Brush received an MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He was an emeritus art professor at the Department of Art & Design, University of Minnesota, Duluth, Minnesota from 1975 until retiring in 2002.

His output includes 2-way-satellite "soundworks," tele-performances, installations, publications, presentations, articles, and music releases.