leo discenza (b. 2000) is a composer and soprano based in Chicago and Washington, DC. They hold a B.M. in composition from the Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University, where they studied composition with Hans Thomalla, Jay Alan Yim, and Alex Mincek. With strong roots in choral music, Leo gravitates most toward vocal music, but enjoys writing for all instruments.

Recent performances include pieces for JACK Quartet, Third Coast Percussion, Constellation Men’s Ensemble, and Northwestern’s Contemporary Music Ensemble. Leo collaborates with four other composers in KOLAJ, an electro-acoustic ensemble.

Outside of composition, Leo sang for the past year as a soprano in the Bienen Contemporary/Early Vocal Ensemble (BCE) under Donald Nally, as well as in the Renaissance Singers, where they were co-music director and treasurer. They study vocal performance with Elissa Edwards.