Leo Nicholson studied at the Purcell School, the Junior Royal Northern College of Music, and with Douglas Finch and the late Yonty Solomon at Trinity Laban.

He was a consistent prize-winner at Trinity, winning both the John Longmire Beethoven Competition and the Alfred Kitchen Chopin Competition, and graduated with First Class Honours, the TCM Silver Medal (Keyboard) and a Silver Medal awarded by the Worshipful Company of Musicians. He continues to work as a soloist and performs with six-piano group Piano Circus and the Birmingham-based contemporary group Thumb.

Leo is also a much sought-after accompanist, and has returned to Trinity as a faculty member, primarily accompanying singers and wind players.  Five years ago he formed a flute and piano duo with Rosanna Ter-Berg, and their critically acclaimed Purcell Room début (under the auspices of the Park Lane Group) in January 2012 led to performances at the Wigmore Hall and the Bridgewater Hall. More recently Leo started working with saxophonist Anthony Brown, who he met through the Worshipful Company of Musicians, and they have since played together all over the country. 

Leo has a fondness for Musical Theatre, and has worked on everything from small fringe shows (Belle Canto’s Opera Hour, and the Crowd (wept) and Hamlet! The Musical) to large commercial productions (Jekyll & Hyde UK Tour).

He lives in south London with his partner, cellist Samara Ginsberg, and Teddy the cat.