Biography

Leana joined the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra in 2022. Originally from London, Ontario, cellist Leana Rutt is highly regarded across Canada as a chamber musician, soloist, and orchestral player. Based in Toronto, she is the principal cellist of the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, associate principal cellist of the Canadian Opera Company, and member of the Rosebud String Quartet. Previously the assistant principal cellist of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Leana also spent time in Montreal and New York completing a Bachelor’s degree at McGill University and a Master’s at the Juilliard School.

Leana has been a guest artist at festivals and series from coast to coast including Ottawa Chamberfest, SweetWater Music Festival, Music by the Sea, Kaimerata Denman Island, and the Lunenburg Academy. With the Rosebud Quartet Leana has performed at Toronto Summer Music, Chatter Albuquerque, the Stratford Summer Music Festival, and the Rosebud Chamber Music Festival. Their debut album features music of Haydn and Mozart with violist Steven Dann.

Leana is grateful for the training she received from her principal teachers Timothy Eddy, Matt Haimovitz, Paul Pulford, and Terry Sefton, and for the formative summers she spent at the festivals of Lucerne, Aldeburgh, Domaine Forget, Sarasota, and Banff, as well as the Piatigorsky International Cello Festival.