Female saxophonist and vocalist, Leesa Snider embarked on her musical journey from a young age. Beginning the AMEB classical saxophone grades in 2005 on Alto and completing all 8 grades by 2011. Leesa played in several bands over her high school career, including an annual concert at Hammer Hall for Israel’s birthday for 6 years running, (2009-20014) coordinated by Adam Starr and the Zionist Council.
Between 2008-2012 Leesa won three music scholarships to three different schools. (The King David School, St. Leonards College and Bialik College) As well as the school music award in 2008 from The King David School and 2009 & 2012 from Bialik College.
Following high school Leesa spent 2013 at the Victorian College of the Arts under the tuition of prominent jazz musicians in the industry such as Peter Petrucci, Ashley Cross, Carlo Barbaro, Joe Chindamo, Jacqueline Gawler, Geoff Kluke and Malcolm Sedegreen.
Following this, in 2014 she attained successful admission to Monash University into the Bachelor of Music degree. She was mentored by some of Melbourne’s best jazz musicians; Paul Williamson, Jordan Murray, Rob Burke, Tony Gould, Lachlan Davidson, Mirko Guerrini, Steve Sedegreen, Ian Whitehurst, Ben Grayson, Johannes Luebbers, Tamara Murphy, Ronny Ferella, Frank Di Sario and many more. Halfway through her degree she switched from Alto to Tenor whilst still privately teaching and playing Alto on the side. One of Leesa’s favourite bands to play in is the Saxophone Big Band, founded by Lachlan Davidson. This band made up of only saxophones and a rhythm section plays Davidson’s original songs often showcasing at Dizzy’s Jazz club. Recordings of these can be found on Leesa’s Music page.
Throughout her degree Leesa did overseas units in Prato, Italy and New York, USA. Under the teachings of David Pietro, Andy Gravish and other NYU staff. Leesa was able to record in professional studios playing along side professionals in the industry, and these can be found on her Music page.
She also founded a band called Soulmate with Melbourne vocalist, Rose Muller, (lead singer in Jack Earle Big Band) which they ran successfully for a year as well as full time study. Soulmate was a popular Pop/Soul/Funk band that played covers and originals written by the two ladies. Soulmate performed all around Melbourne’s popular venues such as The Evelyn, Bar Open, Mr. Boogieman Bar, 24 Moons, Pawn and Co. and many more. Her original music is a uniquely honest and empowering, drawn from real life obstacles and how to overcome. As well as a performer, Leesa teaches for the Music Generation and privately from her home studio.
Finally in 2016 Leesa has completed her degree and has been accepted to Collarts to study Entertainment Management to round out her musical and business knowledge of the industry. She plays gigs regularly around Melbourne and runs her own original band called The Retrospects along with several other projects from jazz pop duos to full bands for corporate and wedding performances.
