After graduating from the National University of Music in Bucharest, Catalin gained a Master in Music from Birmingham Conservatoire and embarked on a freelance career in the UK. He works with many orchestras including Orchestra of the Swan, English Symphony Orchestra, London Orchestra da Camera, Cohen Ensemble, Bristol Ensemble, and has been a member of Lonborough Opera Festival and West Green House Opera. He also enjoys teaching and leading workshops for Chandos Symphony Orchestra.
Stefan enjoys a varied teaching and freelancer’s career. He’s played with many orchestras including the BSO, numerous string quartets, and currently leads the Westbourne Orchestra. Recording highlights include BRIT award single of the year Girls Aloud “The Promise”, Pet Shop Boys, Alesha Dixon and several CD’s with the BSO.
Paul Barrett is a freelance violinist and enjoys playing with many orchestras including Royal Ballet Sinfonia, Trafalgar Sinfonia, Bristol Ensemble, Orchestra Nova, NSO, extra list with the RPO, and has performed in the West End in shows including Sweeney Todd and Lend Me a Tenor. Paul performed the premiere of Stuart Hancock’s Violin Concerto with Southbank Sinfonia and with St Paul's Sinfonia, other solo/chamber music experience includes performances of Stravinky’s Soldier’s Tale.
Tamasin studied the viola at Trinity College of Music in London. Whilst at Trinity, she was awarded the Band/Kurtz award for viola playing, the Vera Kantrovich Prize for solo string playing and the Sir John Barbirolli Prize for string quartet. She was twice a semi-finalist in the TCM Association Soloists Competition. Tamasin now works as a freelance musician throughout London and the South of England, and has played with such orchestras as the Philharmonia and the BBC Concert Orchestra.
Based in London, George enjoys a varied career as a versatile chamber musician and orchestral player. He studied at the Royal Academy of Music with Garfield Jackson, graduating as an award- winner in 2013 with 1st class honours. A former member of the European Union Youth Orchestra, George now freelances with orchestras such as the RPCO and BSO. He recently performed Walton's Viola Concerto with the Frome Symphony Orchestra.
After graduating from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama Stephanie began her career with the Hong Kong Sinfonietta. Since her return to Britain she has enjoyed an extremely successful freelance career, working regularly with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Welsh National Opera. She has also performed on TV, and has performed on X Factor, Top of the Pops, GMTV and Parkinso
Fiona was an Associated Board Scholar at the Royal College of Music on the Performers course. The Dayas Trust enabled further study with Jacqueline du Pre and Christopher Bunting. Fiona has performed widely as a chamber musician including tours to the Ukraine, Poland, Greece and France. Fiona's orchestral work has included the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Dorset Opera and Swansea City Opera. Fiona's teaching posts have included the London College of Music RCM Junior department.
Sophie Gledhill enjoys a varied career as a freelance cellist based in London, performing with orchestras including the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Royal Ballet Sinfonia and English Touring Opera. As well as playing for West End shows Les Misérables, Wicked and Kinky Boots, she has appeared on stage as cellist, improviser, singer and actor for original productions including The Imperfect Pearl, a music drama about the life of Baroque composer Domenico Zipoli.
Bryony gained first class honours in a BMus Music degree from the University of Leeds, specialising in performance. She now works as a freelance cellist in the South West and London performing with the Faust Chamber Orchestra, La Folia, Westminster Chamber Orchestra and London Arts Orchestra among others. Solo performances with orchestra include concertos by Elgar, Saint-Saens, Kabalevsky, Prokofiev, JC Bach and Vivaldi. Bryony also plays and records with pop bands in and around London.
Hannah completed her music degree and masters at Royal Holloway, University of London (specialising in performance) then went on to do a post graduate diploma in historical performance at the Royal College of Music. She now enjoys a varied freelance career on both cello and baroque cello. She is a founding member of various ensembles including early music trio The Nightingale Consort. Hannah has recorded for numerous composers and producers in a wide range of genres.
Owen was made principal bass of the National Youth Orchestra when he was just 15, and led the section on many live broadcasts. He chose a path in science at university, gaining a Masters, then a Doctorate in fluid mechanics. After an unhappy dalliance with the finance industry, he has now embraced his bass again and is freelancing with, among others, Orchestra of the Swan, BBC National Orchestra Of Wales and The London Mozart Players. He has also returned to another old passion - making violins.
