Leana Rutt

Cellist Leana Rutt is a thoughtful and compelling performer, recognized across Canada for her artistry as a chamber musician, soloist, and orchestral player. Originally from London, Ontario, Leana is based in Toronto as the principal cellist of the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra and the associate principal cellist of the Canadian Opera Company. She has been a guest artist at festivals and series including Toronto Summer Music, Ottawa Chamberfest, Music by the Sea, and the Stratford Summer Music Festival, and has performed on stages from Lucerne to Yellowknife. Leana is a member of the Rosebud String Quartet, whose 2023 debut album features music of Haydn and Mozart. A graduate of McGill University and the Juilliard School, she is grateful for the training she received from her principal teachers Timothy Eddy, Matt Haimovitz, Paul Pulford, and Terry Sefton. Leana currently performs on the 1769 Guillami cello “El Tiburón” and a ca.1830 Shaw J.D. Adam bow, both generously on loan from the Canada Council for the Arts Musical Instrument Bank.