Caroline Leonardelli

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Caroline Leonardelli is a French-Canadian harpist known for her orchestral, choral, chamber, pedagogical, and recorded work.

Caroline began to study the classical harp in France at the age of seven as a student at the Paris Conservatory and with Lily Laskine and Jacqueline Borot, where she graduated with first prize in harp at age of 18. After arriving in Canada, Caroline continued her studies with Judy Loman, world-renowned harp player and Toronto Symphony harp soloist. [1]

Caroline is well known throughout Canada as an accomplished classical harpist, performing regularly for CBC national broadcasts, and for Radio Canada. Caroline has recorded a number of compact discs including: Panache with mezzo soprano Julie Nesrallah, Impressionism by the Para Arpa harp duo, A Conte de Noel, Musique de salons en Bretagne for Radio Canada, and Ceremony of Carols by Benjamin Britten, with the Ottawa Board of Education Central Choirs under the direction of Barbara Clark. [2]

Caroline is a member of several chamber ensembles including the Four Seasons Harp Quartet with harpists Jennifer Swartz, Lori Gemmell and Caroline Lizotte, Para Arpa harp duo with Caroline Lizotte, and a voice and harp duo with mezzo soprano Julie Nesrallah. Caroline has performed in ensemble at numerous festivals including the Elora Festival, Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival, and Baie des Chaleurs International Festival.

Choral work is a passion for Caroline and has performed a wide range of repertoire with numerous choral ensembles. The 2005 Evergreen Wishes CBC produced concert of the Ottawa Children’s Choir and Caroline performing John Rutter’s Dancing Day received a Gabriel Award.

In May of 2000 Caroline and her colleague, harpist Caroline Lizotte, were invited to play as a duo for the American Harp Society. [3]

Caroline is the Principal Harpist with the Ottawa Symphony and Gatineau Chamber Orchestras. She has also performed with the Montreal Symphony, the Quebec Symphony, the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, the London (Ontario) Symphony, Symphony Nova Scotia, and the Opera Lyra in Ottawa. [4]

Since 1994, Caroline has been performing solo harp recitals for State Visits with the Governor General of Canada and the Prime Minister of Canada including many functions with dignitaries such as Queen Elizabeth II, Nelson Mandela, King and Queen of Jordan and Kofi Annan, to name a few. She has also performed with a number of touring artists including Nathalie Cole, Diana Krall, Holly Cole, and with the Phantom of the Opera production. [5]

Caroline enjoys teaching a full studio of harp students, including the harp ensemble at the Ottawa Youth Orchestra, Ashbury College and Carleton University. Students range in age from seven to adult, and from beginner to advanced. The curriculum is based on the Royal Conservatory Program. Many of her students have been awarded Silver Medals from The Toronto Royal Conservatory. [6]

Caroline has two music studios at her home in Ottawa and the former Crichton Street Public School; which is now a dance school and a community centre. She shares the Crichton music studio with Canadian flutist, Beverley Robinson.