Leelanee Sterrett joined the New York Philharmonic in June 2013; she currently serves as Acting Associate Principal Horn. She was previously a member of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, and a regular substitute with the New York Philharmonic. Ms. Sterrett is also an alumna of Ensemble Connect, Carnegie Hall’s collective of young professionals and music advocates.
A northern-Michigan native, Ms. Sterrett grew up in a musically enthusiastic family and attended Interlochen Arts Academy. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a master’s degree from the Yale School of Music. Her primary teachers include William Purvis, Douglas Hill, and Julie Schleif. Ms. Sterrett has spent summers at the Tanglewood Music Center, the Pacific and Sarasota music festivals, the National Orchestral Institute, and the Banff Centre for the Arts. She is a past prizewinner in the International Horn Competition of America and the Yamaha Young Performing Artists Program.
In recent seasons, Ms. Sterrett has made solo appearances at Carnegie Hall, with the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, and at the 2015 International Horn Symposium with her Philharmonic colleagues. She serves on the horn faculties of Rutgers University and New York University.