Hester Groenleer (1980) studied recorder at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam with Paul Leenhouts. She obtained both her bachelor’s and master’s degree cum laude. Subsequently, she has developed into an innovative and diverse performer, focusing on modern improvisation, contemporary chamber music and renaissance consort repertoire.

In addition to her participation in The Royal Wind Music and recorder quintet Seldom Sene, Hester performs regularly with keyboard player Matthias Havinga. She premiered contemporary works especially written for her ensembles and for herself. She performs frequently in The Netherlands and abroad at concert venues including the Utrecht Early Music Festival (netherlands), Greenwich Early Music Festival (United Kingdom) and the Boston Early Music Festival (USA).

Hester was awarded several stipends and prizes in a number of competitions including the Noorderkerkprize at the Amsterdam Concertgebouw Vriendenkrans competition and first prize at the 'Concours International d'Ensembles de flûte à bec' in Le Mans (France) with Seldom Sene. By unanimous vote of the five jury members, the same quintet received the Prix d'Interpretation at the prestigious International Chambermusic Competition in Illzach (France) in 2011. In 2014 Seldom Sene was also awarded the first prize, the press prize and the audience award during the International Van Wassenaer competition for early music ensembles.

Hester Groenleer teaches at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam and at the educational section of the Amsterdam Concertgebouw.