JESSIE LEOV | composer / arranger / musician
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EDUCATION
Current Master of Music, Composition (completion date: July 2021)
2019 Bachelor of Music (Hons), Composition, First Class Honours
2018 Bachelor of Arts, French
University of Auckland
RESEARCH
Representational content in music: exploring the interactions between composer, work, listener and meaning | Masters thesis, 2021
Supervised by David Chisholm, University of Auckland.
Contemplating racial diversity in barbershop singing | Honours dissertation, 2018
Supervised by Davinia Caddy, University of Auckland.
Impressionism in the piano repertoire of Claude Debussy, 2017
Practice-led composition research project. Sample works based on the exploration and use of compositional techniques and methodology demonstrated by Debussy in his ‘impressionistic’ piano works. Supervised by John Coulter, University of Auckland.
SELECTIONS AND AWARDS (selected)
Selected for NZ Choral Federation Choral Connect Convention Composition Workshop, July 2021
for ‘Let My Country Awake’ for SATB unaccompanied choir
Cantorum Chamber Choir Commission, 2021
to create a new SATB work for Cantorum to be premiered at their Christmas concert at All Saints Church Ponsonby, December 2021
SOUNZ Community Commission, 2020
to create a new work for SSAA a cappella women’s choir, in collaboration with Nelson Bays Harmony Chorus, to be premiered 19 June 2021 at Nelson Centre of Musical Arts
Douglas Mews Composition Prize, University of Auckland, 2020
Selected for Happy Composer Commission Project, 2020
to write a new choral piece commissioned by project founder, US-based choral composer Carlos Cordero
Compose Aotearoa! Choral Composition Award – Highly Commended, 25 Years & Under Category, 2020
for ‘nunc dimittis’ for double satb choir. Competition run by Choirs Aotearoa NZ Trust.
Merit Award, Sweet Adelines International New Zealand, 2020
to recognise services as Young Women in Harmony National Coordinator
Selected for Auckland Chamber Choir Workshop, 2020
for ‘nunc dimittis’ for double satb choir, directed by Robert Wiremu
Selected for NZ Music Theatre Company Showcase, 2019
selected works from “Take Back The Universe” (musical) performed at Civic Theatre, Auckland
Finalist, NZSO Todd Corporation Young Composer Awards, 2018
for “the wilds” (2018) for orchestra, recorded at Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington
Selected for Auckland Chamber Choir Workshop, 2018
for ‘terram’ (2017) for double satb choir, directed by Karen Grylls
Selected for Suffrage 125 Lunchtime Concert, UoA School of Music, 2018
for ‘of whispers and yells‘ (2018) for solo clarinet, performed by Courtney Evison
First in Course Award, MUS311 Composition, University of Auckland, 2017
Blues Award in Arts, University of Auckland, 2016
Selected for St Matthews Chamber Orchestra Concert, dir. David Kay, 2016
for ‘ortus‘ (2015) for chamber orchestra, performed at St Matthews Cathedral, Auckland
ASB Seeds of Success Grant Recipient, 2014
Finalist, APRA Best Arranger Award, UoA Songwriter of the Year Awards, 2013
with a cappella original song ‘See You Again‘
Selected for Play it Strange Songwriter Showcase, 2012
Performed solo set live at the Beehive, Wellington
Finalist, Play it Strange Lion Foundation Songwriting Competition, 2012
for “Divine” (2012), recorded at Soundpit Studio
Finalist, Play it Strange NZ Cover Song Competition, 2012
for acoustic cover of ‘No Ordinary Thing‘ by Opshop
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Old School (musical) – composer
Commission from playwright/author Frances Steinberg, 2020
To be staged in 2021
Take Back the Universe (musical) – composer/arranger
Collaborative theatre project, ongoing
Workshopped with Red Scare Theatre Company, Wellington (2018)
Featured in NZ Music Theatre Company Showcase, Civic Theatre, Auckland (2019)
Music teacher – itinerant
My itinerant roles include working as composition/songwriting tutor at Rosehill College where I mentor senior students as they work on NCEA Music composition and songwriting internal assessments throughout the year. I also help run the barbershop singing programme at Sacred Heart Girls College, coaching junior and senior quartets and supporting the chorus director.
Rosehill College, Papakura &
Sacred Heart Girls College, Hamilton
2020 – present
AVA & LEOV (duo) – singer/pianist
Gigging across the Auckland region including summer residencies in Auckland at The Beekeepers Wife and The Beer Spot
2019 – present
Piano and voice – teacher/accompanist
Private lessons at my home studio
2019 – present
Promotional media – composer
Composing work for various promotional media projects
Client: Lifeform Labs
2017 – present
Vocal arrangements/learning resources – producer
Clients: Nelson Bays Harmony Chorus, Capital Harmony Chorus, Greater Auckland Chorus, Sounds of Hawkes Bay Chorus, Christchurch City Chorus, Waikato Rivertones, and more
2012 – present
Jessie Leov – solo singer/pianist
Clients: P&O Cruises, Grayboy Entertainment, Nelson City Council, Fashion Island, Golden Bear Brewery, Toad Hall Café & Restaurant, Motueka A&P Show, Bamboo Tiger Jazz Cocktail Bar, The Boat House, Playhouse Theatre & Cafe, 623 On The Rocks, Melrose House, and more
2011 – present
Birds of a Feather (documentary) – composer
Directed by Nina Wells, Working Edge Pictures
Silver Award Winner for the Spotlight Film Documentary Awards (2015)
Official Selection for the Sebastopol Documentary Film Festival (2016)
2014 APRA Silver Scroll Awards – score editor
Client: De Grut Partners Ltd
