A rising star in the Viola World, Solomon Leonard is a 22-year-old recent graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree, and is currently pursuing his Master’s at the USC Thornton School of Music. His eclectic musical studies span European Classical Music, Black American Music, and Carnatic Music on the Viola, along with West African Folkloric Mande Music and Havana-Bata Music as a drummer. Among other accolades, his is the 2023 1st Place Winner of the National Association of Negro Musicians (NAMN) Strings Competition.

Solomon has performed across the globe, showcasing his talent in orchestras and chamber ensembles at prestigious music festivals in Europe, Mexico, and the U.S. Notable performances include solo appearances at the 2024 Gateways Music Festival in Chicago, Dance Africa Chicago at King-Kennedy College and Kwanza Festival at Cleveland Public Theatre with the Djapo Cultural Arts Institute. In addition, he has performed at venues such as the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center Chicago, Carnegie Hall, and Crypto.com Arena (Staples Center) during the 2020 Grammy Awards, alongside artists like Joshua Bell, Lang Lang, Common, and Camila Cabello.

He studies with Karen Dreyfus at USC Thornton School of Music. He has studied with Peter Slowik at Oberlin Conservatory, Dr. Minor Wetzel (of the Los Angeles Philharmonic) at the Colburn Community School, and internationally with pedagogs like Juan-Miguel Hernandez and Ásdís Valdimarsdottir. He continues his drumming education with renowned artists including Weedie Braimah and Lazaro Gallaraga