Meet the Artists
Nicola Loud
Violinist Nicola Loud first came to fame by winning the British television competition 'BBC Young Musician of the Year'. After studying at the Royal Academy of Music and the Juilliard School, she went on to become a prominent soloist, performing with major UK orchestras including the RPO, BBC Concert Orchestra, LPO, the Hallé and the RLPO both in Britain and abroad. Nicola is also celebrated for her engaging one-woman shows and notable broadcasts and recordings, including the Queen Symphony. Additionally, she shares her passion for music as a BBC presenter across various platforms and has been awarded an ARAM by the Royal Academy of Music.
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Nicola Tait Baxter
Cellist Nicola Tait Baxter is celebrated as both a soloist and chamber musician, known for her dynamic interpretations and imaginative programming. A graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, she made her solo broadcast debut at the age of 24 on Radio 3 and joined the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, later performing with the Fitzwilliam String Quartet. In addition to her performances, she is passionate about teaching, co-running Leading Notes Chamber Music courses and publishing works for solo cello. Her collaborations include performing with pianist Colin Stone, the Amabile Clarinet Trio and the Bochmann String Trio.
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Viv McLean
Pianist Viv McLean gained recognition after winning First Prize at the Maria Canals Piano Competition. He has performed across prestigious venues in the UK, Europe, Japan, Australia, and the USA, collaborating with renowned orchestras like the RPO and Philharmonia. A passionate chamber musician, Viv regularly plays with the Adderbury Ensemble and has worked with notable artists at various international festivals. Educated at Chetham’s School of Music and the Royal Academy of Music, he has recorded for esteemed labels, including Sony and Naxos.
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Colin Stone
Colin Stone's career began in the 1980s, gaining recognition through the Royal Over-Seas League and performances on BBC Radio 3 and at the Wigmore Hall. He became a leading British pianist, forming the London Mozart Trio in the 1990s and debuting with the BBC Symphony Orchestra in 2001, premiering Robert Keeley's Entourages. His recording of Shostakovich's fourth symphony for two pianos received critical acclaim. In 2006, he performed Shostakovich's 24 Preludes and Fugues at Cadogan Hall, later recording them for the BigEars label. A professor at the Royal Academy of Music since 1999, he continues to teach, perform and record.
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Photo by Matthew Johnson
Fiona Bonds
Fiona Bonds completed her studies at the Royal Academy of Music and in Berlin. As well as being Associate Principal Viola of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, and a member of their Chamber Ensemble, Fiona is also Principal Viola of the City of London Sinfonia, which presents her with frequent opportunities to appear as a soloist.
Passionate about chamber music, Fiona is excited to have recently joined the Maggini String Quartet. Earlier in her career she was a founder member of the Grammy nominated Emperor String Quartet and 2024-25 saw her running her Marriner Project - a chamber music series in her home town of Hertford.
Fiona loves helping young musicians, coaching the viola section of the National Youth Orchestra, and returning to the Royal Academy of Music to give performance classes, sectionals and as an examiner.
Fiona is in demand as a guest principal viola in many of the London symphony and chamber orchestras and enjoys working in the studio, recording numerous soundtracks for film and television.
Ruth Schulten
Ruth Schulten studied at Trinity College, Cambridge before taking postgraduate studies with David Takeno at the Guildhall school of Music. Ruth went on to win the English Speaking Union scholarship to attend Tanglewood Music Center USA where she studied with the Juilliard Quartet and then an Emily English award and KPMG Martin Scholarship to complete her studies in Holland. Ruth held a first violin position with the BBC Symphony Orchestra for 15 years, and is now in demand as a freelancer with various London orchestras, having been invited to play as Guest Principal 2nd violin for the Philharmonia, BBC Symphony Orchestra and English National Opera. A very keen chamber musician, Ruth is the violinist of the Roskell piano trio, ensemble in residence at the historic Sutton House in London. Other collaborations have included concerts at the Plush music festival, and a piano quintet recital on BBC radio 3 with colleagues from the BBC Symphony Orchestra.