Leonhard Kreutzmann

born 2003 in Bonn, is recognized as one of the most promising conductors of his generation. Starting in the fall of 2024, he will assume the role of Chief Conductor of the KHG Orchestra Freiburg and currently conducts the Zentralschweizer Jugendsinfonieorchester.

Since September 2023, he has been pursuing his conducting studies at the Zurich University of the Arts under the guidance of Professors Christoph-Mathias Mueller and Johannes Schlaefli, following his earlier studies with Professor Vassilis Christopoulos in Frankfurt. As part of his training, he has already conducted renowned orchestras such as the Nürnberger Symphoniker, the Göttinger Symphoniker, and the Slovak Philharmonic Bratislava.

Born into a family of musicians, he began his musical education at an early age, playing the cello, piano, and trumpet. He is a multiple prizewinner at the Jugend Musiziert competition and played as a cellist in the Landesjugendorchester NRW. In Frankfurt, he continued his cello studies under Florian Streich and also received vocal training with Professor Thomas Heyer, which deepened his passion for opera.

In 2024, he was awarded a scholarship by the Cusanuswerk. His artistic development has also been shaped by masterclasses with Ole-Kristian Ruud, Zsolt Nagy, and Christian Jost, along with significant influences from Cristian Măcelaru.