Leesa Dean Bassoon

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. In 2002 she was soloist with the Armenian String Virtuosi.

She has appeared regularly at the Brisbane, Queensland Biennial and Bangalow Music Festivals.

Leesa is currently a Lecturer in bassoon at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University

Piece of music Leesa most enjoys playing:
Morning Star II: Sculthorpe