Leo Appel, violin, is the winner of the Royal Philharmonic Society’s Julius Isserlis Prize, the Prix de Festival Ravel, and Schiermonnikoog Festival’s Audience Prize. He made his Wigmore Hall debut with countertenor Hugh Cutting in a recital broadcast live on BBC Radio 3, praised by The Times for its “delicious delicacy”. Named the Countess of Munster Musical Trust’s most outstanding string player in 2025, Leo received its Peter Cropper Award and representation through its UK-wide Recital Scheme. His performance of Berg’s Violin Concerto with Sinfonieorchester Basel earned him the Musik-Akademie Basel’s Best Soloist award. Baroque violin is central to Leo’s work. After studying with Amandine Beyer, he was selected as a New Ensemblist with Arcangelo under Jonathan Cohen, performing with Vilde Frang and Nicolas Altstaedt. Leo has worked with composer Brett Dean and appeared at Marlboro, Yellow Barn, and IMS Prussia Cove. As a director and arranger, Leo has led Bach’s St. Matthew Passion from the violin and founded an ensemble specialising in Judeo-Spanish and Judeo-Arabic music, whose programs feature his own arrangements. A graduate of St John’s College, Cambridge, Leo studied with David Takeno before completing a Soloist Master’s degree at Musik-Akademie Basel with Barbara Doll.