Leelanee Sterrett

Leelanee Sterrett is third horn of the New York Philharmonic and joined the Orchestra in 2013. In recent seasons, Sterrett has made solo appearances at Carnegie Hall and several International Horn Symposia, and has presented recitals and masterclasses around the United States. She has performed as guest principal horn with the London, San Francisco, and Detroit symphony orchestras and The Philadelphia Orchestra, and was a member of the 2022 National Brass Ensemble. An advocate for works by women composers, she can be heard on the world-premiere recording of Fernande Breihl-Decruck’s Poëme Héroïque for trumpet, horn, and orchestra.

Sterrett grew up in a musically enthusiastic and supportive family in Michigan, 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. She is a past prizewinner in the International Horn Competition of America and the Yamaha Young Performing Artists Program. Among her proudest accomplishments is completing the New York City Marathon twice.