Cheryl E. Leonard is a San Francisco-based composer, performer, field recordist, and instrument builder. Her works investigate natural sites and ecosystems, and human relationships with them. She uses microphones and amplification to explore sonic intricacies, highlighting unique voices and soundscapes while addressing environmental issues. Her projects often feature sculptural natural-object instruments and field recordings from remote locales. Leonard’s artistic research has taken her to a wide range of wilderness areas, including Antarctica and the Arctic. Her works have been presented in concerts and art exhibitions in the Americas, Europe, Japan, and Australasia. Grants awarded include the Antarctic Artists and Writers Program, American Music Center, American Composers Forum, and ASCAP. Leonard's recordings are available on Other Minds, mappa, Gilgongo, and numerous other labels. In addition to her solo projects, she frequently collaborates with visual artists, choreographers, poets, scientists, and other musicians.
