Christchurch
Violin Lessons | Artist development, Aural Lessons, Ensemble Coaching, Theory Lessons, NCEA Music Tutoring, Online Lessons, Posture for Singers and Instrumentalists, Suzuki Music Lessons
Bio
Leo Liu is a violinist and teacher who has established his career in Wellington and Christchurch, New Zealand. As a graduate of the University of Wellington with a Bachelor of Music in Classical Performance and the University of Canterbury with a Bachelor of Music (Honours) & Master of Music in Performance, Leo has been consistently engaging with local music communities, performing with orchestras and chamber groups across New Zealand.
His orchestral achievements include performing with Hawke’s Bay Orchestra, Wellington Chamber Orchestra, Wellington Youth Orchestra, NZSM Orchestra, Kapiti Orchestra, and Tawa Orchestra. He collobrated with “Da Tang Music Ensemble” as the concertmaster in 2025. In both 2021 and 2022, he was invited to perform on tours specialising in Baroque music, organised by the Baroque Music Community and Educational Trust of New Zealand. The tours took place across New Zealand with the University of Canterbury Professor Mark Menzies and the cellist Tomas Hurnik. Leo was invited back again in 2024 for another Baroque tour with the same organisation. Apart from Leo’s passion for concerts, he collaborated with other NZ artists on projects and arts festivals, such as “Back of the Bus,” a merged art form of dance and live music performance, with Java Dance as part of the ‘World Buskers Festival’.
During his studies in Wellington, he received the Victoria International Excellence Scholarship and was selected as a finalist in the Body Harris Prize music competition – playing Gone by Kenneth Young – hosted by the New Zealand School of Music. Leo has completed his Master of Music with Professor Mark Menzies at the University of Canterbury in 2025.
Teaching Info
Leo is passionate about teaching music and sharing it with communities in Christchurch. He has been working in the music education sector for almost a decade and has invested this time in creating a deeper understanding of music pedagogy. He explores different strategies to best approach students’ engagement with music studies at all levels.
Leo is adaptable to many styles of teaching, strategizing student to be reaady for different grade examinations, such as ABRSM Grade exams, Trinity College Grade exams, and NCEA music exams. He has assisted his students with successful results, either a Merit or a Distinction, from ABRSM grade exams.
Lessons offered are violin perfromance study, music theory, and ear training.
"As an adult student, I find Leo's teaching full of humour and passion. I have made significant progress during the past year and I am excited to see how far I will go!"
Faith
"I am a year 9 student and Leo helped me achieve the ABRSM Grade exams with a Merit in just a month and a half. I am happy with the result I got from Leo's lessons."
Derek
"I have felt much progress since I studied with Leo; the learning was slow and inefficient becuase no one taught me how to practice. Leo really helped bring my violin skills to another level, both technically and musically!"
