Leonie Hempton OAM

Leonie Hempton completed her undergraduate studies at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and continued piano and accompanying studies in London.

After returning to Australia, she worked for many years as a repetiteur and accompanist in opera companies, theatre companies and with singers and instrumentalists. Leonie became increasingly more involved with choirs and choral conducting, completing a degree in conducting through Flinders Street School of Music, under the direction of Carl Crossin.

Her strong background in liturgical music equipped her well to be the Director of Music at St Peter’s Cathedral, Adelaide where she developed and maintained the music program until 2020.

Under her direction, the Cathedral Choir gained an enviable reputation, combining a high musical standard with a caring, spiritual environment. She has worked successfully with both children and adults and has done much to increase the musical literacy of the choristers. The choir has made several CDs, and tours internationally on a regular basis.

The chamber choir, Certaine Notes, the Gregorian Choir and upper voice choir Cantores in excelsis have ensured that there is a wide range of musical styles to enhance the liturgy of the Cathedral.

Leonie taught music in NSW secondary schools including Ascham, Kincoppal Rose Bay, and North Sydney Girls High School before moving to Adelaide where she was a teacher at Marryatville High School until 2017.

In 2014 Leonie received an OAM in recognition of her service to the community through music.

She currently works with several Young Adelaide Voices choirs including the Community Choir, and is the conductor of the St Peter’s Cathedral Song School.