
Leesa Dean
Lecturer in bassoon at the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University
Former Lecturer in bassoon at the University of Queensland
Member of Southern Cross Soloists
Leesa Dean studied at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music and graduated with a Bachelor of Music (Distinction)
in 1987. While at the Conservatorium, Leesa was the recipient of numerous awards including the Yamaha Wind Prize (1986), the
Dulcie Robertson Bassoon Prize (1985, 1986, and 1987) and the Carl Nielsen Bursary (Bundaberg).
As a member of
the Movellan Wind Quintet, Leesa participated in their highly successful tour of the United States where the Quintet won First
Prize in the Coleman Chamber Ensemble Competition in Los Angeles - the first non-American group to do so. Leesa was a member
of the Queensland Philharmonic Orchestra from 1988 until 1990, and Principal Bassoon with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra
from 1990 to 2000. She appeared as soloist with the orchestra on several occasions.
She broadcast for the ABC in
works for bassoon, both with orchestra and piano, by Gubaidulina, Panufnik and Haydn among others. In 2001 Leesa was Guest
Principal Bassoon with the China National Symphony, Beijing so she is no stranger to China. In 2002 she was soloist with the
Armenian String Virtuosi. She has appeared regularly at the Brisbane, Queensland Biennial and Bangalow Music Festivals and
was on the faculty of the Bonyi International Youth Music Festival.
Leesa is a founding member of the Southern
Cross Soloists—one of Australia’s most respected and successful chamber ensembles. Leesa previously has been
the lecturer in bassoon at the University of Queensland and currently is lecturer in bassoon at the Queensland Conservatorium,
Griffith University.