Leonard Sakofsky

Supported by Alison Holt

Lenny joined the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra as Principal Percussion in 2006. Before this he had been Principal Percussionist of the Auckland Philharmonia since 1997.

Lenny studied at the Manhattan School of Music Pre-College Division, before attending the Cleveland Institute of Music, where he studied with Principal Percussionist of the Cleveland Orchestra, Richard Weiner, and Principal Timpanist Paul Yancich. He received a Bachelor of Music degree and the Bruce Koley Award for Excellence in Percussion.

At only seventeen, Lenny was a finalist in the New York Philharmonic Concerto Competition for Young Artists and performed with the Cleveland Orchestra in the Kraft Concerto for Four Percussion and Orchestra at age nineteen.

Since moving to New Zealand, he has appeared as a soloist in the 1998 International Chamber Music Festival and with Manukau Symphony Orchestra, New Plymouth Orchestra, Auckland University Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonia and St. Matthew’s Chamber Orchestra.

In 2000, he participated in the New Zealand Festival, playing a concert of music by John Psathas (Psathas Portrait) with Dan Poynton. He was also a member of 175 East Contemporary Ensemble for six years. Lenny performed View from Olympus in the Australian premiere with Michael Houston, Marc Taddei and the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra in 2005 and with the Auckland Philharmonia in 2006.

One of my favourite things about New Zealand is the nature, the people, the attitude towards life, Wellington coffee and my beautiful wife!