South-African born Zoë Beyers has established a reputation as one of the finest violinists based in the UK, and performs as soloist, chamber musician, director and orchestral leader across the world.
Since her debut in Paris to an audience of 3,000, Sarah Brandwood-Spencer has enjoyed a busy career as a soloist, chamber musician and orchestral player.
Simon Gilks started playing the violin at the age of three and quickly progressed through the Suzuki discipline of violin playing.
Louise Latham studied at the Royal Northern College of Music, gaining a teaching diploma with distinction and a performing diploma and she was awarded the Hiles Gold Medal for orchestral playing.
Sarah Whittingham is an in demand violinist and educator working mainly in and around Manchester.
Rebecca Thompson was inspired to play by Nancy Elderkin, her Granny, who played the violin in the local cinema orchestra in Spalding, Lincolnshire.
Michael Dale has enjoyed a very varied career since coming to Manchester to spend a ‘brief’ period with the Hallé.
Barbara Grunthal was a pupil at Chetham’s before going to the RNCM where scholarships from the Guinness Foundation and the Royal Society of Arts enabled her to continue her studies.
James Manson started playing the double bass at age 14, and he went on to study at the Royal Northern College of Music with Duncan McTier, where he won the Eugene Cruft double bass prize.
Conrad Marshall studied at the Royal Northern College of Music with Roger Rostron and Trevor Wye.
Nichola Hunter was born in Southport, Lancashire and started her musical studies at Chethams School of Music, Manchester, initially playing the oboe before changing to flute.
Kenny Sturgeon started playing the oboe aged 15 and studied privately with Ruth Davies and Jonathan Small before accepting a scholarship to study with Stéphane Rancourt and Rosie Staniforth at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.
Jane Evans studied at the Royal College of Music, where she was awarded several scholarships and prizes.
Elizabeth Jordan studied at the Royal College of Music and then at the Royal Northern College of Music, assisted by a Countess of Munster scholarship.
Originally from Hull, Daniel Bayley studied at the Royal Northern College of Music and the Flemish Conservatoire Antwerp, Belgium.
Ben Hudson is a former BBC Young Musician of the Year Concerto finalist, principal bassoon at Manchester Camerata and chamber musician.
Rachel Whibley is a graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music, and has worked extensively with many of the top UK orchestras.
Ever since Naomi Atherton won the Brass final of Young Musician of the Year in 1984, she has been in constant demand as a soloist, chamber musician and orchestral member.
Jenny Cox began learning the Horn at the age of 11 before continuing her studies at the RNCM with Lindsey Stoker, Bob Ashworth and Beccy Goldberg.
Tracey Redfern was born in Stirling, Scotland, and began her musical education at the Music School of Douglas Academy in Milngavie, Glasgow. In 1997 she graduated from the Royal Northern College of Music with a Postgraduate Diploma, Bmus (Hons) and a Professional Performers Diploma with Merit.
Peter Mainwaring, originally from Llanelli, South Wales, started playing the trumpet and cornet at the age of 9. He joined his local brass band, Burry Port Town Band and then became a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Wales and National Youth Brass Band of Wales, as Principal Cornet. He enjoys a busy and varied freelance career on the Trumpet and has toured extensively in Europe, the Middle and Far East.
John Melbourne is the principal timpanist of the NCO. He is also principal percussion of the Northern Ballet and Manchester Concert Orchestra.
