Leah Flynn is one of the youngest African American violinists who aim to defy the odds to establish herself in the Classical Music Industry. As early as 3 years old, her father, Lennox Flynn, introduced her to the piano and, by the age of 5, she began to explore the violin as her new and lasting love. Leah was born in Brooklyn, New York but grew up in Sanford, Florida with a Jamaican heritage. She was raised by her mother, Paula Flynn, and her father, who had a keen interest in music.

 

She attended Orangewood Christian School in Maitland, Florida from Kindergarten, before she was home schooled at Liberty Academy and The Classical School at The First Baptist Academy in Orlando, Florida. The 16-year-old is currently enrolled at Trinity Prep School in 11th grade. While she performs various genres on her violin, she was exposed to Classical music through her father, who is an organist and pianist. She grew up enjoying and being inspired by the likes and works of Hilary Hahn, Sarah Chang, and Julia Fischer.

 

As an African American violinist who is quite young, Leah has faced racial discrimination on her journey to fully pursuing her musical goals. Naysayers believe that she does not fit the profile of a classical musician, but she chooses to beat the odds. Described by her family and friends as “easy-going, fun-loving, and confident”, she wants to be a concert violinist who performs with orchestras around the world. She wants her music to be heard worldwide, even on the big screen.

 

Leah describes Classical music as “exciting, emotionally moving, challenging, inspiring and often breathtaking”. At 9-years-old, she performed at the White House (Christmas Holiday Tours) while President Barack Obama was in office, Leah performed at the AIM  ( Annual Investors Meeting) in Abu Dhabi 2024 , Leah also performed at the 2024 Paris Olympics, celebrating Jamaica Day in Nanterre Paris. Leah became the concert master for a group of teenagers at the Metropolitan Area Youth Orchestra (MAYS) in 2015 in Orlando, Florida. In February 2023, she performed on the National Black Broadway televised special on National PBS (filmed at Howard University in Washington DC). Back in Jamaica, she was featured on Smile Jamaica TV Show, and in The Gleaner newspaper Jamaica. This publicity assisted her in growing and retaining a solid fan base for her music.

 

Her aim is to be remembered as the “young lady who never gave up despite facing several trials and tribulations”.