Born in Hong Kong, Leanna Lee is an international operatic soprano and an award-winning author and poet. Her dedication and prodigious talent for opera have led her to perform in 8+ countries, such as Austria, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Spain, Hong Kong, the US, and the UK, to name a few. Her extensive time performing across the globe, whether performing solo or with an orchestra, has led her to world-renowned halls, including Carnegie Hall (2 times), Royal Albert Hall, Solitär Uni Mozarteum, and The Center for Fine Arts, receiving standing ovations. At the tender age of 16, she performed the role of Countess Almaviva in Mozart’s La Nozze di Figaro in Maurizio Opera Hong Kong and has studied the roles of Violetta in Verdi’s La Traviata and Norma in Bellini’s Norma.
When she was three years old, her father had introduced her to Montserrat Caballé’s rendition of “O Mio Babbino Caro” from Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi. Immediately attracted by Caballé’s angelic voice, Leanna resolved to become an opera singer. Each day, she would practice this aria, sitting by the piano or in the bathroom. At age 8, she took singing lessons. But it wasn’t until the age of eleven that she received professional training under the tutelage of world-renowned opera singer Dr. Derek Anthony. At the age of 11, she publicly performed her first aria, “Voi Che Sapete” from Mozart’s La Nozze di Figaro. In three years, she was already performing some of the most challenging arias, which included “Un bel di vedremo," “Sempre Libera," and “Casta Diva." During this time, she had garnered her wins at international competitions, such as First Prizes at the Golden Classical Music Awards and Grand Prize Virtuoso International Competition, and was shortlisted at the Manhattan International Music Competition and Vienna International Music Competition.
When she’s not performing, she is writing short stories and poems. At 14, she published her first children’s picture book, The Tale of the Loving Seed, which won the bronze medal at The Global Book Awards, and donated all proceeds to World Vision. One of her classmates shared that from reading the book, she learned to celebrate growth and to appreciate the world. This motivated Leanna to push further. At 16, she attended the Iowa Young Writers’ Studio, studying under Ellen Boyette. Currently, she is working on her poetry collection Room and her memoir Good Samaritan.
Creative writing started to become her most dear passion at eight when she met her mentor, Professor Page Richards, who taught at the University of Hong Kong. Professor Richards mentored her in crafting stories with close observation and slow motion, which changed the trajectory of Leanna’s writing career. From then onwards, she would write a chapter of her memoir every day, chronicling her vivid memories as a child. She has spread her love of writing to others. At 16, she taught as a creative writing instructor at the Baker and Bloom Education Center, leading a poetry workshop for teachers, and published a blog of her experiences at the Iowa Young Writers’ Studio.