Musicianship Classes

International Concert Violinist Kirtley Leigh is Director and Violinist of the Australian Strings Academy, based in Cairns Queensland. Now taking bookings and enrollments for this prestigious Academy for 2021 following re-openings post-Coronavirus.

Director of the Australian Strings Academy, violinist Kirtley has over 40 years' International experience as both a performer and educator, gained from her roles as soloist, recitalist, chamber musician, Orchestral Leader (Concertmaster) , Tutor, Masterclass presenter, Clinician, Lecturer and Adjudicator in appointments worldwide throughout her distinguished career.

I have recently returned from a new position as Tutor at the prestigious King's School here in Sydney, where I was Tutor in violin and viola, Chamber Music and Orchestral Director.

I am Kirtley Leigh (Walker-Halstead), a solo violinist, chamber music artist, recitalist, teacher and adjudicator. I have an international career spanning over 40 years. I am American born, dual National of Australia, and graduated BMus (Hons) from Indiana University Bloomington in 1983 as a student of the legendary violinist Josef Gingold. My past teachers have included pedagogues Dorothy DeLay and Josef Silverstein. I have had extensive coaching in Chamber Music with the iconic Beaux Arts Trio as well as violinist James Buswell, cello maestro Janos Starker, and jazz legend Stephane Grappelli, amongst many others. 

I  left my nearly-completed Master's Degree in 1983 at 22 to accept the Associate Concertmaster position in the Hong Kong Philharmonic. I have lived and performed in over 23 countries since, including throughout Europe, Scandinavia, and Asia.  I immigrated to Australia in 2003 after a long career based in London UK. In 2004, I established my highly respected Chamber Music Series in Cairns, Paradise Concerts International Chamber Music Series. I have been Artistic Director since its inception, and performed for 17 years as solo/chamber music violinist in the series with wonderful music colleagues and friends whom I invite to Australia from my international associations.

I have performed onstage with, or for luminaries of all musical worlds, from Pavarotti and Dame Kiri Te Kanawa to John Travolta, to Streisand, John Denver, Tony Bennett, Lynda Ronstadt, David Bowie, Prince, Diane Cilento, William Barton, and more recently, on stage in improv with Cieran Gribbon, lead guitar and vocalist of INEX. I have performed Command Performances for Heads of State, PMs and Royalty, including Tony Blair, Princess Diana, Queen Sophia of Spain, King Olav of Norway, Mahatmir Mohamed, PM of Malaysia,  Sir Michael Somare, PM of Papua New Guinea, Quentin Bryce, and Anna Bligh.

In addition to my Chamber Music Series, I also tour as soloist, and have maintained thriving Private Teaching Studios in all the countries I have lived in in USA, HK, Europe, London and Australia. Many of my students have gone on to major Conservatories and Orchestral positions in Australia and abroad, and one, Khalida de Ridder, is now a soloist based in Europe. I was Head of Strings at Jubilee Christian College, Atherton, Queensland. I also teach and perform on viola. I coach cello,  theory and music history when required.I have enjoyed a bountiful  career as a soloist, chamber musician, recitalist, teacher, orchestral leader, adjudicator and mentor. I specialize in teaching intermediate to advanced students, through to highly advanced and Diploma level, with particular emphasis placed on the higher technical and musical levels, preparation for Conservatory entrance, orchestral auditions, and recital coaching. You are invited to meet me, hear my performances and watch my videos on my website-

please visit me at

http://www.australianstringsacademy.com
http://www.paradiseconcerts.com
or https://www.facebook.com/kirtleyleighmusic/

Please feel free to message me here to inquire about joining the prestigious Australian Strings Academy.

I am Kirtley Leigh (Walker-Halstead), a solo violinist, chamber music artist, recitalist, teacher and adjudicator. I have an international career spanning some 37 years. I am American born, dual National of Australia,and graduated BMus (Hons) from Indiana University Bloomington in 1983 as a student of the legendary violinist Josef Gingold. My past teachers have included pedagogues Dorothy DeLay and Josef Silverstein. I have had extensive coaching in Chamber Music with the iconic Beaux Arts Trio as well as violinist James Buswell, cello maestro Janos Starker, and jazz legend Stephane Grappelli, amongst many others.

I left my nearly-completed Master's Degree in 1983 at 22 to accept the Associate Concertmaster position in the Hong Kong Philharmonic. I have lived and performed in over 23 countries since, including throughout Europe, Scandinavia, and Asia. I immigrated to Australia in 2003 after a long career based in London UK. In 2004, I established my highly respected Chamber Music Series in Cairns, Paradise Concerts International Chamber Music Series. I have been Artistic Director since its inception, and performed for 16 years as solo/chamber music violinist in the series with wonderful music colleagues and friends whom I invite here from my international associations.

I have performed onstage with, or for luminaries of all musical worlds, from Pavarotti and Dame Kiri Te Kanawa to John Travolta, to Streisand, John Denver, Tony Bennett, Lynda Ronstadt, David Bowie, Prince, Diane Cilento, William Barton, and more recently, on stage in improv with Cieran Gribbon, lead guitar and vocalist of INEX. I have performed Command Performances for Heads of State, PMs and Royalty, including Tony Blair, Princess Diana, Queen Sophia of Spain, King Olav of Norway, Mahatmir Mohamed, PM of Malaysia, Sir Michael Somare, PM of Papua New Guinea, Quentin Bryce, and Anna Bligh.

In addition to my Chamber Music Series, I also tour as soloist, and have maintained thriving Private Teaching Studios in all the countries I have lived in in USA, HK, Europe, London and Australia. Many of my students have gone on to major Conservatories and Orchestral positions in Australia and abroad, and one, Khalida de Ridder, is now a soloist based in Europe. I was Head of Strings at Jubilee Christian College, Atherton, Queensland. I also teach and perform on viola. I coach cello, theory and music history when required.I have enjoyed a bountiful career as a soloist, chamber musician, recitalist, teacher, orchestral leader, adjudicator and mentor. I specialize in teaching intermediate to advanced students, through to highly advanced and Diploma level, with particular emphasis placed on the higher technical and musical levels, preparation for Conservatory entrance, orchestral auditions, and recital coaching. You are invited to meet me, hear my performances and watch my videos on my website-

please visit me at www.paradiseconcerts.com
or https://www.facebook.com/kirtleyleighmusic/

Please feel free to message me here to inquire about joining my new Kirtley Leigh Private String Academy in North Rocks.

International Concert Violinist
American-born, Dual National, American/Australian violinist Kirtley Leigh has a career that has taken her across the globe, as soloist, in chamber concerts, recitals, and orchestras worldwide. Her performances have been celebrated in over 20 countries. Her home is currently Australia, since relocation from London, and since receiving her Australian citizenship. She was born and educated in the USA and called Atlanta home for many years. She has played violin professionally since the age of 16- having begun lessons at the age of 5. She has been on stage as long as she can remember!

A student of the legendary virtuoso Josef Gingold, she holds a B Mus (honours) degree from Indiana University, (1982) as well as a Suzuki Teaching qualification. The US then honoured her with the prestigious American Federation of Music Prize/Recitalist in New York. She has also studied with Dorothy De Lay and in Masterclasses with Joseph Silverstein and Henryk Szering, amongst others. Her early tuition was from two distinguished violinists-Kathleen De Berry Brungard, author/composer of the innovative string series books, Orchestral Expressions, Alfred Music, that are recognized as the main string teaching curriculum in many states, and Ronda Respess of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.
She began a Master’s Degree at IU, but left when she won the international position as Associate Leader with the Hong Kong Philharmonic in 1983.

As a chamber musician and recitalist, Leigh has appeared in the Australian Festival of Chamber Music, and festivals including Aspen, Point-Counterpoint and Chautauqua (USA), St. Endellion and Classics Live (UK), Klassik Aften, Bergen Festspille, and Oslo (Norway), Amsterdam, Vienna, Pollensa (Spain), and Hong Kong.

Leigh was Associate Leader of the Hong Kong Philharmonic (1983-87), and started her teaching career on the faculty of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts as Assistant Violin Professor. In Europe she held orchestral positions as Leader in Amsterdam (1988), and in Norway where, as principal second violin of the Stavanger Symphony Orchestra, she was Artistic Director of her own chamber music series, performed as soloist and recorded for Norwegian radio from 1988-1991.

Residing in London for 14 years, her Duo gave its debut recital at the International Classics Live Festival. Leigh was in the UK's finest chamber and symphony orchestras, including principal second violin of the London Chamber Symphony, Assistant Leader of the Midlands Philharmonic, and member of the Academy of London, Oxford and European Union Chamber Orchestras. She has also appeared as chamber musician/soloist at the Endellion Festival and Prussia Cove under conductor Richard Hickox.

Leigh ran her own private teaching studio while in London from 1990 - 2003, in addition was Head of Strings at Franciscan School, and appointed Violin Tutor at the Wimbledon Academy of Arts and Music (2000-2003). She was also on the faculty of the Wandsworth Music Academy (London) during this time.

European engagements included performing for Queen Sophia of Spain as Leader of the Pollensa Chamber Orchestra, and for King Olaf of Norway with the Bergen Philharmonic, as well as tours with Pavarotti and the Oporto Orchestra, Portugal, and with Soprano Kiri te Kanawa.

Leigh was one of the Australian Festival of Chamber Music's performers in ‘05, as masterclass teacher and chamber music artist, ABC recording artist, and Leader of the chamber orchestra. She gave her Australian recital debut in ‘03, and founded, as Artistic Director, Paradise Concerts International Chamber Music series. In '05 Leigh toured Papua New Guinea, giving a command performance for the Prime Minister at Parliament House. The Queensland State Arts Council appointed Leigh as an ongoing touring artist.

She regularly has performed in recital with the internationally acclaimed pianist Pascal Roge, and appeared as guest leader and soloist with the Barrier Reef Orchestra under conductor John Hopkins OBE. She was soloist with Opera Queensland in '06, and toured New Zealand, giving recitals and the world premiere of a Concerto for Violin and Orchestra written for her by Ross Carey. In '07 she was soloist at Opera in the Outback and she appeared as soloist/director in the debut of the Paradise Chamber Orchestra for Festival Cairns in The Eight Seasons, an innovative programme of her creation, juxtaposing Piazzolla and Vivaldi 4 Seasons. She is founder of the Paradise Chamber Orchestra, Cairns' first professional orchestra.

In '07, she was presented a RADF award in recognition of cultural excellence in Cairns. The Paradise Concerts' Gala recital of '08 featured Leigh and star pianist Melvyn Tan in performance together, and Leigh was appointed guest leader of the Cairns Community Orchestra. In '09, engagements included 2 concerto performances in Melbourne, including a rare Violin Concerto by Mendelssohn. Leigh's collaboration with exciting International artists continued at the Centre of Contemporary Arts. Musica Viva celebrated pianist, Benjamin Martin and Leigh formed a Duo.

The Series is also proud to hold concerts in the iconic Art Deco Innisfail Town Hall, and is credited for bringing the Hall's Steinway into prominent use. In ‘10 Paradise Concerts made its Cooktown debut at the Discovery Festival, and Leigh performed for National dignitaries at the opening gala for the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair in a jointly-composed World Premiere “The Elements” with international didgeridoo sensation William Barton.

Leigh vigorously champions classical music in the region and also has a thriving studio for private tuition of violinists. Many of her students have been accepted into the Conservatoriums of Music in Brisbane and Sydney, as well as the Australian Academy of Music. Graduates are members of the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. Her Private Students are regular winners of competitions. From 2010-2013 Leigh was Head of Strings at St Andrew’s College, Redlynch. In 2014 Leigh began a strings tutor position at Jubilee College, Atherton, where she presently enjoys a flourishing studio of pupils

Her debut at the Centre of Contemporary Arts as Director (from the violin chair) and soloist in the Vivaldi Four Seasons in September 2011 was met with critical acclaim and her Paradise Concerts are a regular highlight of Cairns Festivals for the last decade. In 2012 Leigh began a Residency and partnership with the Centre of Contemporary Arts, Cairns, that has culminated in a 4-concert series held throughout each year as a cornerstone feature of the Centre's artistic calendar. Her performance at the Cairns Regional Gallery in 2014 in conjunction with an exhibition of the paintings of iconic Arthur Boyd was acclaimed.
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In 2013 Leigh performed in a headline partnership with Herb Armstrong, the Grandson of legendary Louis, as well as gave a command recital performance for the long-standing former Prime Minister of Malaysia, the Tun Mahathir Mohamad and his wife Siti. Leigh also instructed Madame Siti in violin. As a result of this fortunate meeting, Leigh has been invited to give a concert tour in Malaysia. She will give the Australasian Premiere performance of another contemporary Violin Concerto, Noor, having been invited to premiere this work in Malaysia by the composer, Katia Tiutiunnik.

Since 2010, Kirtley Leigh has also formed a Piano Trio with cellist Gwyn Roberts and pianist Jenni Flemming-Roberts, The Serendipity Trio. They tour and perform regularly.

In 2016, Leigh was invited by BBC Conductor Mark Eager to travel to Cardiff, Wales to be Guest Leader and hold Orchestral Strings Masterclasses for his orchestra, BBC Welsh Sinfonia. She additionally was invited to perform with lead of the sensation band INXS in an improvised performance with frontman Cieran Gribbon.

Kirtley was Artist-in-Residence in July 2016 for the inaugural Sedona Summer Colony Festival, Arizona at the invitation of Director Eric Holowatz. She appeared as soloist and in collaborations. Her improvised music was the feature of a project developed during her residency-a film highlighting the underwater wonders of the Great Barrier Reef.

In addition to her violin work, Kirtley Leigh also plays (and teaches) viola, and teaches some cello. She has piano skills which enable her to accompany early students in rehearsals, and gives her a thorough grounding with which to teach theory and music history at all levels when needed. Foreign languages are a passion, and Kirtley speaks Cantonese, Spanish, Norwegian, and some French.

When not on stage, Leigh also enjoys a “secret” career as an Underwater Dive Model. Her submerged self has graced some 20 International magazine covers and she is feature model in the Great Barrier Reef souvenir book (Peter Lik and husband Bob Halstead). She is married to Bob Halstead, celebrated Underwater Photographer and inductee into the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame. She has three wonderful, creative children. Her eldest girl is also a violinist.