A native of Cape Town, South Africa, Leon Schelhase is a recent graduate of Boston University, where he studied with Peter Sykes and received a master’s degree with honors. He is quickly making his way in Boston’s early music scene, having performed with Emmanuel Music, the Gardener Museum Orchestra, and leading figures such as violinist Daniel Stepner and historical flute player, Christopher Krueger. Last season he also played a solo recital at the Jamaica Plain Open Studios series at Taylor House. On a recent tour with A Far Cry, he received the following praise from the Montpelier Times Argus: “Harpsichordist Leon Schelhase matched [the soloist's] tasteful ornamenting with unusual sensitivity.” He is founding member of Cambridge Concentus (ensemble-in-residence at First Church, Cambridge), a period instrument group that will tour Japan this June with Joshua Rifkin in performances of J.S. Bach’s St Matthew Passion. He is currently part-time staff at Boston University. Prior to moving to the US, he performed as a soloist and collaborative harpsichordist throughout South Africa, and in 2003 was a featured soloists in the Stellenbosch Music Festival. Mr Schelhase received his Bachelor’s degree and an Honours degree from the University of Cape Town.
