Leon King studied with Rudolf Botta in Manchester and Roger Best of the Alberni Quartet in London before winning a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music where he continued his studies with Stephen Shingles, the principal violist of the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields. At the RAM he also studied chamber music under the renowned quartet leader Sidney Griller and composition with Paul Patterson and Edward Gregson.

Leon has worked as a freelance player with a wide range of orchestras in the UK and Europe including the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields as well as period instrument orchestras including the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Gabrieli Consort and the Academy of Ancient Music. He was a member of staff at the Royal College of Music Junior Department for many years. Leon is also a specialist in viola d’amore and as well as many solo performances, has edited and published a wide range of eighteenth century music for the instrument.