Leonie Meijer

Leonie Meijer (Rotterdam, September 4, 1985) is a young Dutch singer and songwriter.

Training

Since the age of 18 she studied at the Music Academy in Lelystad. She then assisted the Amsterdam Conservatory while performing as a singer and guitar player with the band Material Spirit during her free time. In 2010 Leonie was part of the Netherlands Great Prize, where she reached the finals. Later she auditioned for the Dutch version of the show The Voice.

Professional career

The Voice (2010–2011)

Being coached by Jeroen Van der Boom, she made it to the qualification rounds of The Voice. Her cover of Maria Mena’s song Just Hold Me climbed to the 27th position in the Single Top 100 chart. At the final stage she got fourth place, which allowed her to record her own song, Lost in Yesterday. The single reached number 36 in the Top 40 Netherlands.

Los (2011–2012)

Soon after she had a part in Michael Jackson’s tribute concert, where she sang various of his songs. Next step was the recording of a duet with Van der Boom – her old coach – called Los van de grond, which reached second position in the Top 100 and 13th in the Top 40. In May 2011 she released her single Schaduw and in October of the same year her debut album was out, Los, whose first single – Hey! – entered the Top 40. The very same week another song was climbing in the Top 40, it was Wereldwijd, by the Metropolitan Orchestral in collaboration with several artists, among them Meijer.

Luister maar (2013)

The first single from her second álbum – Niemand als jij – was released in 2012, in the 81st position of the Top 100. Her second work included collaborations with Roal Van Velzen and Nick Schilder, most of music composing though belong to Meijer and Daniel Gibson, who also worked on her debut record. The track list includes the single Wacht tot ik bij je ben – with Joost Marsman – and Scherven van geluk, specially written for Leonie by Van Velzen and Schilder.

Collaborations (2014)

Together with The Prophet & Noisecontrollers she recorded the song Make me stay, and by the hand of Brainpower – a Dutch rapper – she presented the single Won't come back. This was a turn to the English language in her career.

The Naked Sessions (2015)

Leonie’s third album – The Naked Sessions – reproduces the atmosphere of her live shows. With more acoustic arrangements her voice unfolds to already known songs like Voor jou vecht ik and Het staat in de sterren. However it is the new songs that stand out, including White Ribbons, written by her after the sinking of the MH17 along with songwriter Jud Friedman (who previously worked with Whitney Houston, Barbra Streisand and Rod Stewart). The record features a version of True Colours and a very intimate cover of the Italian classic Caruso.

New single – Door hetzelfde ijs (2016)

The release of her new single is expected on April 22, 2016.

External links

• Sitio Oficial de Leonie Meijer
• Natascha Verheij Fotografie