Leonie Holmes was born in Auckland in 1962 and studied at the University of Auckland from 1980-85, completing a BMus and MMus (1st class Hons), and LTCL (teaching) in piano. She was appointed the first Composer-in-Residence at the Nelson School of Music in 1986, and upon returning to Auckland combined clerical work at the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music with freelance composing and teaching. In 1989 she was appointed Composer-in-Schools and as a result of this work she developed a special interest in music education, and is currently freelancing as a composer while continuing to teach composition and creative music in schools and privately. She also gives regular workshops on methods of teaching creative music-making and composing. In 1997 she was Composer-in-Residence with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. She has served on the Composers' Advisory Panel of the Centre for New Zealand Music.