Leda Mileto
Leda Mileto is a violinist, Dalcroze practitioner, and educator from Rome, Italy based in Manchester since 2021.
As a “Dalcroze baby”, Leda was educated in music from the age of two through the approach. She was raised in a musical home and started singing, playing the piano, and improvising from early on, listening to a variety of styles that shaped her passion for music – classical, as well as baroque and jazz. These experiences have led her to strongly believe in the importance of the body and collectivity in music education, performance, and appreciation.
She began studying the violin at middle school and entered the Conservatoire in Rome at the age of thirteen. Her early teachers and mentors include Felice Cusano, Edoardo Zosi (Adorno String Quartet), and Carmen Staffieri. From 2018 to 2021 she also attended Fiesole School of Music’s perfectioning courses.
She performed as part of masterclasses for Narni International Festival (2016-2018), 2019 Livorno Music Festival, 2021 Virtuoso&Belcanto Festival (Lucca, Italy), and 2021 Summer School of the Penderecki Academy (Krakow).
Leda graduated from the Conservatoire in 2020, having already been selected for Yair Kless’s studio at the RNCM – Royal Northern College of Music for her Masters, with support from the Charles Greenough Award. Here, she formed the awarded Aestus String Quartet (2021-present), mentored by Donald Grant, started performing and programming lunchtime and Spotlight recitals for the RNCM, and attended both Dalcroze modules present at College with John Habron-James and Karin Greenhead.
The Aestus, recognised for their warm and sensitive musical approach, were recipients of the 2022 Weil Prize for classical and contemporary repertoire at the RNCM, and have since performed in major contexts across the UK (Southwell Music Festival, Lake District Music, Stoller Hall, Royal Philharmonic Society Awards, Snape Maltings, Winchester Chamber Music Festival) and abroad (Festival Ravel, Festival of the Pergolesi Spontini Foundation). They were the RNCM Studio Quartet and Britten Pears Young Artists for 2023-2024. The quartet shares a passion for outreach, which they have facilitated for various audiences, presenting an always evolving program that includes classical, contemporary, and folk music in a way that is accessible, enjoyable, and physically involving.
Leda had the chance to present her research, tutored by John Habron-James, at the ICDS – International Conference of Dalcroze Studies in 2021. This was based on Martin Heidegger’s philosophy of being-there, and applied to the Dalcroze approach’s physical, active presence and embodiment in historically informed musical practices. Leda is currently training with Dalcroze UK towards the Professional Certificate.
She obtained her Master’s degree (2022) and later a Postgraduate Diploma (2023) from the RNCM with a prize scholarship, while also learning privately with David Takeno (2022-present). During her Diploma studies, she led the RNCM Opera Orchestra in Mansfield Park (Johnathan Dove).
Some recent outstanding experiences for her include masterclasses and performances with Abel Selaocoe, Viktoria Mullova, and Matthew Barley, which integrated the use of body, voice, and improvisation, at Stauffer Academy (Cremona, Italy).
Last year Leda was appointed Tutor in violin, rhythmics, singing, and improvisation of the Junior department of the RNCM and Trustee as well as Environmental Champion of Lake District Music, to develop their Environmental Policy.
She plays a Johannes Cuypers violin of the year 1797 on generous loan from the Harrison Frank Family Foundation, with her Edwin Clement bow.