Leonardo Ciampa, International Composer and Performer
Leonardo Ciampa
Composition, Organ, Piano
Teaching Philosophy
“Many years ago, my teacher Yuko Hayashi said to me, 'When you see a bud growing out of the ground, you’re not sure what it is yet, so you water it and feed it, and you wait to see what it grows into. But you don’t want to step on it. And if the bud is tiny, all the more important not to step on it.” I share her feeling that every student is a valuable person, whether age 5 or age 80. Music lessons certainly kept me alive during my formative years. That is why, with every student of every age, I assume that even if the student never becomes a professional musician, music lessons may be the key to that student’s health and happiness. For students who want music careers, I become very exacting, and I am not afraid to push a student when necessary. But the fact remains, in either case, that music lessons remain one of the healthiest activities that a person can do!”
Biography
Born in Boston in 1971, composer/organist/pianist Leonardo Ciampa is a musician of international repute.
Ciampa is a director of music at Our Lady of the Angels in Worcester, MA (since 2024) and at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Worcester, MA (since 2019), Founding Director of the Organ Festival of Worcester (since 2023), and Maestro di Cappella Onorario of the Basilica in Gubbio, Italy (since 2015). Previously, he was Artistic Director of the “Music for a Great Hall” concert series at Mechanics Hall (2023-2024), Mechanics Hall Composer-in-Residence (2021-2023), Founding Director of Arts MetroWest (2012-2019), and Artistic Director of organ concerts at MIT (2009-2016). Leonardo studied at the New England Conservatory.
As an organ recitalist, Ciampa has made more than a dozen European tours encompassing Italy, Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. He is particularly admired in Italy, where he has played in numerous international festivals (Festival Perosiano, Festival Organistico Lauretano, Le Voci della Città, Pistoia Musica Antica, Organi Storici della Valsesia, Festival Biellese, Organi Vespera, Reate Festival, Festival Organistico Salemi, etc.). He has given organ recitals at cathedrals in Vienna, New York City, Boston, Lucca, Altenberg, Brandenburg, Tortona, and Biella; at basilicas in Rome, Turin, Loreto, Tortona, Gubbio, Absam, and Rieti; and abbeys in Dürnstein and Camaiore. His compositions include Suite Siciliana, Op. 145 (for two violins, piano, and orchestra), commissioned by the Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra of Boston to open their 25th anniversary season at Harvard’s Sanders Theatre; several cantatas; several organ symphony’s (including the Kresge Organ Symphony, premiered at MIT, and the Worcester Organ Symphony, premiered at Mechanics Hall); a piano quintet (premiered by the Lavazza Chamber Ensemble); Missa Pamphyliana, premiered at the Basilica di Sant’Ubaldo in Gubbio by the Cantores Beati Ubaldi; Suite Divina (Three Dances for Organ), premiered at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City (2019); and numerous organ works which are part of the repertoire of organists throughout the United States.
As a pianist, Ciampa has performed as a soloist at venues such as Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall and Mechanics Hall in Worcester. In 2020, he commemorated Chopin’s 200th birthday with six recitals at First Church in Boston.
An avid writer, Ciampa has authored several books, including The Twilight of Belcanto (featuring an interview with Virginia Zeani), Don Lorenzo Perosi (the first English-language biography of the composer), and Gigli (the first book on the great tenor in English in 56 years).
Leonardo began teaching in 2013 and joined Note-worthy Experiences in March 2015, where he teaches English and Italian lessons.
A Bit More…
Learn more about Leonardo Ciampa in his Teacher Feature.
“Leonardo’s caring and adaptable teaching is wonderful for first-time students. While begin very communicative and engaged with a student, he is also sure to check in with us parents so that the style and progression of the lessons are matching the skills and style of the student. I especially like how he covers a wide range of topics with new students, not just focusing on technique but also teaching harmony and music theory. This is a great way for new students to build their own relationships with music and Leonardo is a fantastic guide!” - Alex from Maynard
