Jessie Leov, NZSO NYO Composer-in-Residence 2024

Every year the NZSO provides a young New Zealand composer with the opportunity to write a full symphonic commission. With generous support from the Todd Trust, the NZSO is proud to facilitate the NYO Composer-in-Residence programme.

NZSO NYO Composer-in-Residence 2024

Jessie Leov (MMus) is an award-winning composer, songwriter and musician based in Aotearoa New Zealand. 

Active in the industry for over a decade, Jessie’s practice as a music-maker is diverse. Her work traverses both the classical and popular music space, including cross-disciplinary collaboration across theatre, film, sonic arts and poetry. 

In 2022 Jessie was the recipient of an APRA Professional Development Award, as well as being awarded first place in the Open Category of national competition Compose Aotearoa! for her choral work, lady of the river. She was also selected to take part in the 2022 NZ Composer Sessions where her orchestral work, marble, bark, silver, was recorded by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. 

Currently, Jessie is composing music alongside sonic artist Garling Wu for earthworks, a collaborative project funded by Creative New Zealand. Responding to climate change, this project brings together their respective backgrounds in contemporary classical and electroacoustic music as well as exploring wider musical influences. Jessie is also undertaking a creative residency in Auckland as a member of the 2023 Ockham Collective.