Lisa Ueda works regularly in Europe and Asia, hailed with "exceptional playing" (Sir James Galway, BBC Music Magazine). Concerto and chamber music collaborations are at the core of her work; she has appeared as a recitalist at the Wigmore Hall and other international venues of this calibre. Recent recording venues include Abbey Road Studios and media appearances on magazines, TV and BBC Radio3. Generous awards received include the ABRSM Macklin Bursary Award, Tunnell Trust, Kirckman Concert Society Carr-Gregory Award, Bach Prize, Clumber Studio Scholarship, amongst many others. Lisa studied with Richard Deakin at the Royal Academy of Music on a full ABRSM International Scholarship, a Masters degree supported by the RAM. Great artists as Gyorgy Pauk and Tasmin Little have been a source of guidance and inspiration during this time and since. Lisa plays on a 1775 Antonio Gagliano on kind loan. [www.LisaUeda.com + @lisauedaviolin]

Kaoru Yamada was born in Japan, trained at the Toho Gakuen School of Music, the Royal Academy of Music and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. She has given recitals in UK, Japan and Europe, including venues such as St John's Smith Square and the Wigmore Hall. She is 1st violin Sub-Principal of the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House.

Ian Byrne Brito has developed a successful international performing career as a chamber violist, making appearances in Europe and Asia's most distinguished concert halls and festivals, including Barbican Centre in London, Beijing's National Centre for the Arts and Suntory Hall Tokyo among others. Born in the UK but raised in Spain, he graduated as a performer and teacher from The Hague Royal Conservatory and went on to complete a masters degree at the Royal Academy of Music in London. His commitment to educating the new generation of string players has led him to become a Trustee at London's Youth Music Centre and hold various teaching appointments over the years. A man of many interests and a particular passion for antique string instruments, Ian was appointed Manager at Stringers London in 2015.

Nigel Blomiley was largely self-taught, however he did study, privately and performed in Masterclasses with Pierre Fournier, who described his playing as “very musical“ and “creating a marvellous atmosphere“. Elsewhere, on hearing his playing, Bernard Greenhouse described him as a “damn fine cellist “. He has spent a large part of his career as a Principal player in both the BBC Philharmonic and Concert Orchestras, touring widely with both groups. With the Concert Orchestra, he appeared as a featured soloist in many of the country's major Concert Halls, for both Radio and Television. Since 2005 he has devoted most of his time to chamber music, teaching and solo work, activities which have always been part of his life. With two younger colleagues, he formed the Anern Trio in 2014.

Jessica Zhu (piano) is a Chinese-American pianist who made her debut in 2006 with Houston Symphony Orchestra. She won a Marshall scholarship to study at the Guildhall School, where she gained her Mastership with distinction, and was awarded a Fellowship. She won 1st prize in the First Prize at the 2011 Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition, and the Audience Prize at the Sussex International Piano Competition. She made her Wigmore Hall debut in 2011. Jessica is on the LiveMusicNow young artist scheme, performing throughout the UK.

 

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