Christina Leonard
Leonard is one of Australia’s leading classical Saxophonists. Christina is
committed to the presentation and advancement of classical Saxophone in the
contemporary environment. This commitment is evident in her extensive
involvement in the arrangement, commissioning and concert promotion of the
Saxophone in new and challenging contexts. Christina has premiered solo and
ensemble works by many leading international and Australian composers, and her
commissioning work has been supported by several Australia Council
grants.
Christina is a Saxophonist with both the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and the
Australian Opera Ballet Orchestra and has held these key positions for many
years. She has toured internationally with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, has
performed with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra and has also performed as a
soloist with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. For the past 4 years Christina
has featured in the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra’s Noel Noel concert series.
Christina was also invited to perform in the Elena Kats-Chernin commission to
celebrate the ABO’s 25th Anniversary. Christina has performed on tour with the
Australian Chamber Orchestra, and as a soloist with The Song Company,
Australia’s leading vocal ensemble.
Christina is the Soprano Saxophonist with Continuum Sax, Australia’s
foremost classical Saxophone Quartet. She is also Soprano Saxophonist and
co-artistic director of ‘Compass’ the world music Saxophone Quartet.
Christina has made many recordings and live broadcasts for both ABC Classic
FM and 2MBS FM. Christina is the Tenor Saxophonist on the ABC Classics recording
of Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra conducted by
Vladimir Ashkenazy. Christina appeared as a soloist on ‘A Brandenburg
Christmas’ recorded live in 2010 and released by ABC Classics to critical
acclaim. Christina also appears on the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra’s
latest CD soon to be released by ABC Classics Move Records released ‘The rose
and the willow’ in 2013, a CD of music by Piazzolla, Ginastera and Guastavino.
Christina arranged and recorded this album with jazz pianist Matt McMahon.With
Compass, Christina released Abrazo Tango’ a CD of original tango music on the
Tall Poppies label and a second album, ‘Ode to and Autorickshaw’ with Tabla
player Bobby Singh and Sitarist Sarangan Sriranganathan on Ear shift Reords.
Christina was artistic director of the inaugural Campbelltown Arts Centre
‘Composer in Residence’ series which champions Australian composition and
contemporary music.
She has performed in the prestigious international new music forum ISCM; at
the International Saxophone Congress in St Andrews, Scotland and the
Australasian Clarinet and Saxophone Conferences in Sydney, Melbourne and
Brisbane.
Christina was awarded a Queens Trust Scholarship to complete a postgraduate
degree in Advanced Instrumental Studies at the Guildhall School of Music and
Drama in London. On her return to Sydney, Christina completed her Masters of
Music(Performance) at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Christina has been
lecturing Saxophone, examining and facilitating workshops and classes at the
Sydney Conservatorium of Music since 1997. Christina is highly respected and
sought after as a teacher and mentor. Her students have received international
scholarships and awards and are successful in their own careers.
transcribed and arranged many pieces for Saxophone. She recorded a CD of Baroque
repertoire with Marshall McGuire (Harp) and Danny Yeadon (’cello) and has a
series of publications of Baroque transcriptions, many of which are included on
the current AMEB and ABRSM Syllabi under the clpublications brand.
commissions and performances.