Biography
About
Serena
Serena Leader was a 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, including performances on television and radio.
Serena has been a regular recitalist at London venues including The Wigmore Hall, together with the eminent pianist Gordon Back, as well as appearing as concerto soloist with orchestra.
'Serena Leader is a highly accomplished violinist of formidable technique, remarkable tone production and notable musical intelligence. Her performances, characterised by extraordinary sensitivity and passion, are not to be missed'.
- Barry Millington, Chief Music Critic, London Evening Standard
‘Miss Leader’s fresh and radiant tone, rhythmic vitality and expressive focus characterised the whole recital, ‘resilient silvery tone at the highest register glowed ’ - Malcolm Miller: Musicologist and Critic
The Elstree Mozart Players have billed her as “virtuoso violinist.”
Serena has made guest appearances with the well-known Hungarian violinist, Roby Lakatos at London’s famous Ronnie Scott’s Club. She has also been a founder member and toured regularly with the multicultural World Music Band Berakah, supported for many years by the British Arts Council.
Serena has also given many concerts in aid of Medical and Philanthropic Charities.
Serena is a passionate musician and loves to collaborate with musicians on new ventures. She 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.
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 and The Elstree Mozart Players.
Forthcoming performances include the Bach Double Violin Concerto with The Alba Sinfonia on 19th July 2025.
She is looking forward to performances of Saint-Saens Violin Concerto No 3 and the Brahms Double Concerto in 2026.