Biography
About Serena
'Serena Leader was a prize winning, celebrated child violinist in Holland, The Netherlands, where she grew up. By the age of 14, she had performed as soloist with orchestra in the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, performances on TROS and NOS television and radio.
Serena has been a regular solo recitalist at London venues including The Wigmore Hall, together with the eminent pianist Gordon Back, as well as appearing as concerto soloist with diverse orchestras including the Memorial Concert for the great violin Pedagogue, Sir Emanuel Hurwitz, at the Royal Academy of Music in London.
“Miss Leader’s fresh and radiant tone, rhythmic vitality and expressive focus characterised the whole recital, resilient silvery tone glowing at the highest.”
“Malcolm Miller, Musicologist and Critic, UK”
Serena is a passionate musician and loves to collaborate with musicians on new ventures. She has made guest appearances with the well-known Hungarian violinist, Roby Lakatos at London’s famous Ronnie Scott’s Club. She was a founder member and toured regularly with the multicultural World Music Band Berakah, supported for many years by the British Arts Council.
Serena has worked together with the music critic Barry Millington, presenting sonatas in his music appreciation series at Fellowship House in North London and more recently joined forces with oboist Barry Solomon, violist Donald Maclean and cellist Juliet Maclean to form the Gatti Quartet, having performed their debut concert in Italy in 2024.
Serena works closely together the conductor Derek Holland in both orchestral concerts and frequent musical soirees dedicated to raising money for many wonderful charitable causes.
Serena will be performing with the renowned opera singer Janice Watson, together with conductor Derek Holland and oboist Barry Solomon on 17th May 206.
As soloist with orchestra in London, Serena has recently performed the Mozart Concertante for Violin and Viola with the Barnet Symphony Orchestra, and Saint-Saens Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso with both BSO, Alba Sinfonia and Elstree Mozart Players, and the Bach Double Concerto with Alba Sinfonia.
This season, Serena is looking forward to performances as soloist in the Saint-Saens Violin Concerto No 3 on 18th April 2026 and the Brahms Double Concerto on 19th September 2026.
