Leonora Gaitanou is a versatile mezzo-soprano and holistic voice healer, born into a musical family in Athens, Greece.

She is praised for her dynamic stage presence, with critics describing her as a “magician on stage” and “strong performer” (The Stage). The Swiss press has also acknowledged her as the “budding opera star” (Bieler Tagblatt), and she has been lauded by the London audience as "the surprise of the night" and “amazing tour de force.”

From a young age, Leonora pursued her musical education with a deep desire to understand and express the human soul through her voice. She began her formal studies at the Musical Horizons Conservatory in Athens, where she earned diplomas in Classical Voice (with highest honors and a special award for exceptional performance) under the mentorship of Christina Giannakopoulou, who first introduced her to classical singing and helped shape her path as an opera singer. Additionally, Leonora obtained diplomas in Piano, Cello, and Music Theory. She furthered her academic education with a Bachelor’s degree in Acting from the Athens Conservatoire Drama School and a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre Studies from the University of Athens.

Leonora also became a member of the Greek National Opera Studio (GNO) in Athens, where she refined her operatic technique and stage craft, collaborating with professional ensembles and artistic teams at the Greek National Opera.

Her quest for artistic growth led her to Switzerland, where she completed a Master's Degree in Specialized Opera Performance (cum laude) at the Swiss Opera Studio in Hochschule der Künste Bern under the tutelage of the celebrated mezzo-soprano Tanja Ariane Baumgartner. During her time in Bern, Leonora received scholarships from prestigious institutions, including the Scarlatti, Ergata, Cardón, Esle V. Sick, and Stockart Foundations. Under Baumgartner’s guidance, Leonora was introduced to the work of Béla Bartók, with a special focus on a key role for Leonora, that of Judith in Bluebeard’s Castle, a character she later went on to develop in her solo project Judith.

Further enhancing her vocal development, Leonora worked with renowned American voice teacher Don Marrazzo, whose mentorship supported her growth both as a performer and as an artist. Don’s influence helped her refine her technique, deepen her emotional expression, and explore new vocal possibilities. This mentorship also empowered her to feel secure in her body and pursue her own unique artistic voice, as well to explore the integration of expression through body movement in her vocal performances.

Leonora has performed in opera houses and concert halls in Athens, London, Amsterdam, Milan, Salzburg, Istanbul, Vienna, Bern, Biel/Bienne, Solothurn, Winterthur, Bisbal, Olten, Burgdorf, and Baden. She has worked with opera companies, directors, and conductors, and has also performed as an instrumentalist and actress.

In 2021, Leonora embarked on a deeply personal artistic journey, creating, directing, and performing Judith, a one-woman show inspired by Béla Bartók's Bluebeard’s Castle. The show premiered with great success at the Tête à Tête: The Opera Festival 2023 in London and continued its journey in Milan at the Teatro No’hma in 2024, where it represented Switzerland at the International Premio Teresa Pomodoro Competition. The Swiss press referred to her as “Judith becomes the saviour of womanhood, starting from herself and redeeming her seven ancestors.” Leonora’s innovative approach to opera as a ceremony and healing process has been praised by audiences and critics alike, with comments such as “amazing tour de force” and “a strong performance.”

Following Judith, Leonora created “Alma”, a poetic, multilingual solo recital through nine languages, where voice, movement, and video art interweave in a meditative exploration of soul memory. Alma premiered in Teatre Mundial (Spain) in 2024 and serves as a gentle introduction to Leonora’s unique performative world.

Her ongoing work with Judith is part of her broader mission to reimagine opera as a tool for self-awareness and healing. Drawing inspiration from the healing traditions of ancient Greece—particularly the Asclepeion healing centers, where art, sound, and ceremony were used for holistic healing—Leonora envisions opera as a sacred process of remembrance, embodiment, and restoration.

In addition to her performance work, Today, Leonora offers both performances and healing sessions—including one-to-one vocal healing, couples’ voice work, children's sessions, and sound baths with crystal bowls and voice—helping people reconnect with their authentic self through the sacred power of sound.

*She was also a member of the Priestess Group of the Olympic Torch Relay Ceremonies for the Olympic Games. The Olympic Torch Relay is A Symbol of Unity, Peace, and the Spirit of Humanity through Unity. From the moment the flame is lit at the ancient site of Olympia in Greece, it begins its voyage across the world, carried by torchbearers who pass the flame from one hand to the next. As the torch makes its way across countries, it carries with it the timeless message of hope and cooperation among nations. The journey of the flame transcends borders, reminding us of the power of collective effort and the importance of coming together, regardless of our differences.