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.

Although New Zealand is a small country, 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. In addition, Grace is also a successful soloist. As such, she has performed with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra National Youth Orchestra and the Schleswig-Holstein Festival Orchestra. She is also a prize-winner of the New Zealand National Concerto Competition and the Gisborne International Music Competition. She was also a member of the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra and the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, which is where she became an academy student.