Biography
Mandy Leung
Mandy is a classically-trained composer, arranger and multi-instrumentalist from Hong Kong. She is currently studying for a PGCE in Music and has recently completed a Masters in Composition at Cardiff University. Her latest commission was from the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and Ty Cerdd for Aurora, written for Robert Plane, principal clarinettist at BBC NOW. Her compositions have been premiered and workshopped by ensembles and performers such as the BBC NOW Wind Quintet (Excursion), European String Teachers Association String Orchestra (Arrows and Thatched Boats), Quatuor Capriccio (String Quartet, Mvt. 1) and Jack Adler-McKean (Appoggiatuba).
Mandy is a percussionist who also specialises in the clarinet, and was the principal clarinettist at City of Belfast Youth Orchestra, Victoria College Belfast Orchestra, and Hong Kong Youth Wind Philharmonia. She was awarded the Bombardier Prize and the Wade Cup at school, and also a prizewinner at Ballymena Music Festival in both piano and clarinet categories. Whilst at the University of Bristol, she studied orchestral percussion under the tutelage of John O’Hara, a current member of Jethro Tull, continuing her passion that had started with drum-kit lessons at high school. Mandy was involved with a number of different ensembles, including the University Symphony Orchestra and City of Bristol Brass Band as a percussionist; the jazz orchestras as a saxophonist; the university Flute Choir; and the Composition Society, where she conducted the premieres of her compositions. She was awarded the inaugural Victoria Prize for her services to the music department, in part for her work as orchestral manager and recording the concerts.
After graduating from the University of Bristol, Mandy returned to Hong Kong and founded Central Perc, where she taught clarinet, percussion, piano, flute, music theory, and accompanied students in music festivals and graded exams.