Desirée Calleja began her cello studies with Mario Psaila, later obtaining her LRSM under the tuition of Peter Flanagan. In 2020, Desirée completed her MMus at Trinity Laban Conservatoire as a TL scholar under the guidance of Naomi Butterworth and Richard Markson.

Desirée was Section Leader of the Malta Youth Orchestra and performed with the Commonwealth Youth Orchestra, Festival Junger Künstler Orchestra and participated in courses organized by the European Union Baroque Orchestra.

She performed with the London City Philharmonic, the ULSO and the Trinity Laban Symphony Orchestra. Desirée performed in side-by-side projects with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and the Philharmonia Orchestra.

Desirée was the recipient of the Bibby Award by the worshipful Company of Cutlers and won several competitions with her chamber ensembles.

She was generously supported by the BOV Joseph Calleja Foundation, the Janatha Stubbs Foundation and the Henry Wood Accommodation Trust. Currently, she teaches at Malta School of Music and tutors the Sally Strings Ensemble as part of Teatru Salesjan.