Fifteen-year-old Leah Hansen began playing the Cello at three. She has performed in numerous solo, concerto, chamber recitals, festivals,  and orchestras.  In 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, she won First Places at the Southwestern Youth Music Festival.  In 2004, Leah was chosen to solo in the Walt Disney Concert Hall for the “John Kerry and Friends” Presidential Fundraiser.  She was invited to perform in the Irvine Barclay Theatre for the “Stars of Tomorrow”.  Leah was the youngest First Place winner in the “L.A. Cello Society” to receive a scholarship.  She was the First Place winner in ASTA Finals in Los Angeles, and also First Place including a scholarship in the Sartori String Competition.  In 2005, 2007 and 2008, Leah was chosen to perform in the “Orange County Junior Chamber Music Series” which included a scholarship to study in Italy.  In 2006, Leah soloed with the Bellflower Symphony after winning First Prize in the “Bellflower Symphony Concerto Competition.” Leah was invited by the conductor of the Bellflower Symphony in a return engagement in November of 2007.  In 2007, Leah Hansen was invited to solo with the Pacific Symphony under the direction of Mr. Carl St. Claire performing the Kabalevsky Cello Concerto on a four city tour of Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, Irvine and Brea.  In 2007, She received First Place in the Parness Young Artists Concerto Competition which included a performance with the Culver city Symphony orchestra.  In 2008, Leah won the First Place Grand Prize of $1000 in the Brentwood Symphony Competition, and First Place in the Bellflower Concerto Competition, all of which included a performance with their orchestras. She also received scholarships from YMF and the Fe Bland Foundation.  In 2009, she received scholarships from YMF Scholarship, the Fe Bland Foundation Scholarship and a Merit Scholarship from the Colburn School.  In 2010, Leah won the Redlands Bowl Young Artist Competition, and performed in the summer festival. She also received scholarships from YMF Scholarship and the Fe Bland Foundation. She was the First Place winner in the greater Los Angeles ASTA Competition.  In 2011, She was a winner in the Inland Valley Symphony Orchestra Competition and West Covina Young Artist Competition, which included performances with their Orchestras.  Leah Hansen is currently a student of the prestigious Academy program at the Colburn School of Music, under the tutelage of Mr. Ronald Leonard.  Her former teachers include Patty Hicks and Natalia Dyakonov.