Helina was born and brought up in Barry, South Wales before she moved to London to pursue a four-year degree at the Royal Academy of Music, graduating in 1996. She is now working as a freelance violinist and teaches violin and piano privately.
Helina's past experiences include extra work with the BBC Welsh Symphony Orchestra, leading the National Youth Orchestra of Wales, Welsh Proms Youth Orchestra and Cardiff Bay Chamber Orchestra. She has also performed as a guest artist in various local concerts with the Cardiff Bay Choir and Cardiff Polyphonic Choir. Today, Helina regularly performs and records with folk and pop bands as a session player.
Born in Cardiff, Tanwen studied at the Royal College of Music, London, graduating in 1996.
Her freelance career has enabled her to play in many orchestras and chamber groups, including Welsh Sinfonia, National Symphony Orchestra, New Queen's Hall Orchestra and the Arcata ensemble, performing at a variety of venues such as St James Palace and Wigmore Hall, London.
Louise was interested in music from an early age and studied violin and viola in school. She graduated from Trinity College Carmarthen, and whilst teaching music continued as a post-graduate student at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.
As well as having valuable experience as a viola player with several orchestras, Louise also arranges music and teaches instrumental and classroom music across South Wales.
Born in Derry, Claudine came to study Cello at the Royal Welsh College under Chris Hodges, Sharon Mc Kinley and Peter Esswood. She then gained a place at the Royal College Of Music in London studying Baroque Cello with Richard Tunnicliffe.
Claudine has performed in a variety of styles including Theatre and Dance. She is currently working as a freelance player with many orchestras and chamber groups as well as teaching in the South Wales area.
Whilst we are a core of four players, you can rest assured that should any of us become unavailable, we can draw upon a pool of experienced musicians to take our place.
These players have performed with us extensively and are very familiar with our repertoire. Details on some of these players can be seen below.
Matthew studied violin at Wells Cathedral School before being awarded a scholarship to read music at Cardiff University. Since graduating, he has worked as a freelance performer with a number of orchestras including the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, the Ulster Orchestra, the Northern Ballet, Emerald Ensemble and the English String Orchestra.
He regularly leads a number of companies including Opera Box and the Bath Philharmonia, has played numerous violin concertos and performs regularly as a Chamber musician across the UK.
Rachel studied music at York University winning a scholarship from The Foundation for Sport and the Arts. She went on to lead the symphony, chamber and Beethoven Orchestra. 'Spare' time in holidays gave her the opportunity to play with the Britten-Peers Orchestra and Jersey Symphony Orchestra. Rachel's career has seen her perform on major stages in the UK and Europe, including The Royal Albert Hall, Purcell Room, St. David's Hall Cardiff and the new Wales Millennium Centre.
Based in South Wales, Rachel now works as a freelance violinist and is frequently a session musician for Taith Records. She performs regularly with the Welsh Baroque Orchestra, Concerto Gallese the folk quartet Nezehr, Mill House String Quartet and guests with the 9 piece Balkan band Szapora. She is also a keen violin teacher and hopes to pass on her enthusiasm for music.