Cleo and Serene started performing as an ensemble in 2018, appearing in Hong Kong and abroad. As avid musicians, they perform creative and challenging programs ranging from Baroque to Contemporary and jazz. At the same time, they are specialists in sacred music too.

Lauded and admired for their engaging performances, they reached the semi-finals of the Queensland International Chamber Music Competition in Australia in 2019. Most recently, they have been invited by Navona Records to release an album to celebrate Bach’s 340th anniversary in 2025. The album will include a work composed exclusively for them by Bosnian composer Faruk Mehic.

Apart from performing, they have busy coaching schedules. They are well loved by students for their enthusiasm and care.

Biographies

  • Flutist Cleo Leung is a versatile performer, teacher, and ensemble leader currently based in Hong Kong. A doctoral graduate of the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music in Flute Performance with a cognate in Orchestral Studies, her pursuits go beyond music; she also holds a bachelor's in Physics from Harvard University, and conducted her doctoral thesis into the timbral qualities of flute headjoint materials in conjunction with the Physics and Engineering departments at the University of Cincinnati. 

    Cleo has been a part of many ensembles in Hong Kong and the USA, including the City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong, the Chamber Players of the Hong Kong Church Music Association, Music West Kowloon, the Dayton Philharmonic, Orchestra Kentucky, the Owensboro Symphony, and the Springfield Symphony. In 2019, she reached the semi-finals of the Queensland International Chamber Music Competition in Australia with Serene Yu. 

    From 2015-2018, Cleo served on the faculty of the University of Dayton, Dayton, OH, as the adjunct flute instructor, and director of the flute ensemble, and has guest lectured at the University of California, Los Angelos. She continues her passion for teaching flute as a freelance pedagogue, teaches studio lessons to students of all ages and abilities in Hong Kong, and leading them in flute ensemble performances. 

    Cleo’s dedication to share the beauties, diversity, and multifaceted nature of classical music has led her to a post as English program writer, producer, presenter, and interviewer for Radio Television Hong Kong’s Radio 4, where she is a regular host for Saturday Morning on 4, First Notes, and numerous live and recorded concert broadcasts.

  • Serene is a passionate musician. Currently, she is establishing a diverse career in Hong Kong as a soloist, chamber musician, and pedagogue. As a soloist, she is particularly devoted to transcriptions, and music that evokes a strong sense of spirituality. Chamber music is also close to her heart. She strives to explore lesser-known chamber works with her colleagues. In 2019, she reached the semi-final stage of Queensland International Chamber Music Competition in Australia. In addition, she started performing with Greenies Piano Duo in the same year.

    Apart from music grounded in traditional concepts, Serene also has a strong passion for new music. She enjoys working with like-minded musicians around the world. She has had successful collaborations with Swedish composer Jonathan Östlund and Bosnian composer Faruk Mehić. Most recently, she has been honoured to record an album with flutist Cleo Leung for Navona Records. This album, BACHannalia, will be released in March 2025 to celebrate Bach’s 340th birth anniversary.

    Graduated from Queensland Conservatorium of Music, Serene’s piano teachers have included Dr Therese Milanovic and Daniel de Borah. Besides aspirations to pursue a career as classical pianist, Serene is enthusiastic about organ music. As a recipient of Walter Monz Organ Bursary 2011, she has studied with Christopher Wrench, and was appointed Church Organist at St Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Brisbane (2011-2012). Since returning to Hong Kong in late 2017, she has also enjoyed performing as organist.