Grace Leehan

Viola

Grace Leehan began violin lessons aged seven and received viola tuition from the age of eleven. She learned both instruments while studying for her bachelor’s degree at the University of Auckland with Stephen Larsen, where she was awarded ›First Class Honours‹ and the Senior Scholar Award. Grace finally decided to devote herself to the viola and continued her studies with Andra Darzinsat the Stuttgart College of Music and Performing Arts, where she is currently completing her master’s degree.

Grace received a comprehensive musical education which included chamber music, orchestra and also solo playing. Since chamber music is one of her passions, she has participated in various ensembles that have won awards at important competitions and is currently a member of the NERIDA Quartet. As a soloist, Grace is also a prizewinner in the New Zealand National Concerto Competition and the Gisborne International Music Competition. Grace’s orchestra experience includes performances with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the National Youth Orchestra and the Schleswig-Holstein Festival Orchestra. She was also a member of the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra and the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, where she became an academy student.