Caroline Leisegang

CAROLINE LEISEGANG has emerged as a transformative force in the world of classical music, redefining the boundaries of composition both in her home country and on the global stage. With five full-length albums to her name, she has consistently pushed the envelope, crafting works that resonate with both contemporary and traditional audiences. Now, as she navigates the evolving landscape of her own artistry, CAROLINE is finding new depths in her sound—a reflection of her journey through the nuances of time and experience. Her music, marked by an evolving maturity and emotional richness, continues to elevate the art form, inspiring a new generation of listeners and composers alike. 

From a young age, CAROLINE (34) was drawn to the world of classical music. She began playing the piano at age 6 and later took up the cello at 14, with strong encouragement from her parents and peers to follow her passion. She pursued her musical aspirations by studying at the University of the Witwatersrand from 2009 to 2011, where she focussed on Music Composition, alongside French and English Literature.

In 2011, CAROLINE set her sights on furthering her studies at the prestigious Trinity College of Music in London. To her surprise, CAROLINE received an acceptance letter from Trinity—one of the world’s most renowned music institutions—and she attended from 2012 to 2014. During her time at Trinity, CAROLINE studied under the guidance of acclaimed Irish composer Deirdre Gribbin, a winner of the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival Prize and the Arts Foundation Award. She also gained invaluable insight from film composer and orchestrator John Ashton Thomas, known for his work on films such as Ice Age: The Meltdown, X-Men: The Last Stand, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1, Maleficent, and many more.

As one of the youngest classical composers in South African history at the  time, CAROLINE LEISEGANG made a significant mark on the global music scene with the release of her stunning debut album, Øyeblikk n 2015. Her work earned her the prestigious iTunes ‘Best Of 2015’ Award for Best Classical Album, elevating the standards of classical composition not just in South Africa, but across the international musical landscape.

SIMPLE CIRCLES, her sophomore album released in 2016, was a deliberate pause—a moment to take a breath that could be endlessly looped. Written over six months, it was designed to be as distinct from Øyeblikk as possible. The music itself is intentionally uncomplicated, with the aim of being simple and rounded. Each piece follows a gentle movement, slightly expanding before returning to its starting point in an ABA form. The concept was to create circles that could be repeated, allowing listeners to truly feel the cyclical nature. All the circles are written in the same key, introducing a constant that serves as a boundary, encapsulating both the certainty and the passion of each piece.

In 2019, CAROLINE made a powerful comeback with her third album, MY BODY OF PRELUDES, after a prolonged battle with severe health issues that kept her out of the public eye. This album, recorded at High Sea Studios in Johannesburg in June 2018, marked her third official release and was produced by Jacques du Plessis and mastered by Jacob Van Der Westhuisen.

In 2020, CAROLINE introduced a new album titled A SERIES OF MOMENTS. Although it reimagines the music from her critically acclaimed 2015 debut, Øyeblikk, A SERIES OF MOMENTS stands as a completely different experience. CAROLINE sought to reinterpret her work through a fresh lens, collaborating with performer William Earl to explore and reshape the music together, allowing him to guide her on a new journey with her own compositions. Born from a blend of intentional dreaming and strategic planning, this new vision of shared inspiration was designed to stand apart from its original title, evolving into a powerful body of work in its own right. With no session musicians involved, it was simply a composer and a performer working closely together to refine the composition. The outcome is a moment of tranquility amidst the chaos—a collection aptly named A SERIES OF MOMENTS. The album was recorded by Jaco Naude, produced by CAROLINE herself, mixed by Jacques Du Plessis from High Sea Studios and mastered by Jacob Van Der Westhuizen.

After the release of A SERIES OF MOMENTS in 2020 and since the world was at a standstill, CAROLINE took time off from the musical spotlight to focus on her health and starting a family. Her beautiful daughter was born in 2020 and CAROLINE describes giving birth to her as her greatest accomplishment to date. In 2023, she released a collection called ‘LOOKING THROUGH THE GLASS, WAITING FOR THE STORM’, which features two new compositions entitled ‘Beginning’ and ‘End’.

CAROLINE’s brand new album, her 5th full-length studio offering, COMES THE NIGHT was released on 25 October 2024.