Lawrence Leonard began as a cellist playing under such conductors as Sir Henry Wood, Richard Strauss and Leopold Stokowsky. He became associate conductor of the BBC Northern Orchestra and later assistant conductor to Sir John Barbirolli at the Halle Orchestra. He conducted the London premiere of 'West Side Story' in 1959 and has conducted major orchestras in Europe, Japan and Canada. He was music director of the Edmonton Symphony for five years. He is also a novelist, playwright and composer.