Yuriy Leonovich

Born in Kyiv, Ukraine, cellist Yuriy Leonovich immigrated to the United States with his family. He studied with cellists Stephen Geber and Robert DeMaine, as well as composer James Hartway, and earned his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music. Leonovich received the Hope and Stanley Adelstein Prize for Excellence in Composition and Performance and wrote his doctoral research on Gaspar Cassadó's cello concertos, exemplifying his commitment to expanding the cello repertoire.

Leonovich champions Eastern European music, new compositions, and lesser-known works from the Baroque and Classical periods. He collaborated with Kimbo Ishii-Eto on the Cleveland premiere of Khachaturian's Concerto-Rhapsody and with Gary Ciepluch on the Cleveland premiere of De Meij's Casanova. A dedicated recitalist, he frequently performs with his wife, Kristin, throughout the Southeastern United States. He has appeared alongside artists like Daniil Trifonov and Elizabeth De Mio and gave the U.S. premiere of Saint-Saëns' Suite, Op. 16 for Cello and Orchestra, in 2022.

Leonovich’s compositions and arrangements are performed internationally by musicians such as Brian Thornton, Robert Rearden, and the Gürzenich-Orchester Köln. His Rusalka Fantasie has been recorded on the Five/Four Productions and Naxos labels and is featured on Brian Thornton’s Kol Nidrei and Beyond: Lev's Story. He completed Tchaikovsky's unfinished Cello Concerto with assistance from Brett Langston.

Leonovich publishes with YL Edition, Fennica Gehrman, Ovation Press, and Boma Brass. He collaborates with the Servais Society and Martin Rummel on editorial projects, including Urtext editions and contributions to davidpopper.org.

Leonovich is Assistant Professor of Cello at Bob Jones University. His students have achieved success worldwide, performing professionally and studying at prestigious institutions. He plays a Michael Köberling cello (2016) and a Roger Zabinski bow, which he commissioned.