Helen Reid is a pianist and former BBC Young Musician of the Year keyboard finalist who enjoys a busy career teaching and performing across the UK. Alongside solo performances, she is a sought-after accompanist and regularly performs with the Bristol Ensemble and other chamber groups. Helen teaches advanced piano students privately and at the University of Bristol, and mentors on the postgraduate teaching course at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. In 2014 she founded Blackbird Early Years Music, developing a curriculum and resources to introduce children aged 3–7 to the foundations of music.

Jonathan Rees is a Bristol-born cellist and viol player who performs internationally with many of the UK’s leading chamber and historical performance ensembles. As a chamber musician he has appeared at venues including Wigmore Hall, the Edinburgh International Festival and Carnegie Hall, and is a member of the renowned viol consort Fretwork. He regularly performs with ensembles such as the Academy of Ancient Music, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and The Sixteen, and also performs in a piano–cello duo with pianist Helen Reid. An Associate of the Royal Academy of Music, Jonathan teaches widely, directs Bristol Pre-Conservatoire and leads workshops, classes and children’s concerts.

Catherine Ring is a percussionist who studied at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, graduating with First Class Honours. She is a member of the critically acclaimed Colin Currie Group, a percussion ensemble specialising in the music of Steve Reich, which has performed at major venues including Carnegie Hall, the Southbank Centre, Elbphilharmonie and the Concertgebouw. Catherine also performs with Ensemble Bash and Perhaps Contraption, and has appeared with orchestras including the Philharmonia and City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, as well as covering the marimba chair on The Lion King in London’s West End. Alongside performing, she is an enthusiastic teacher and composer, contributing to the ABRSM drum kit syllabus and leading masterclasses and workshops.

Mirek Salmon has a varied freelance career as an accordionist and bandoneon player performing with the likes of BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Welsh National Opera and Royal Shakespeare Company. He was inspired to take up tango music after attending a Summer School in Dresden run by some of the current top players from Buenos Aires. Since then he has been involved in running his own tango group, Tango Calor, as well as freelancing with other ensembles and co-founding the Bristol Community Tango Orchestra.

Daryl Kellie is a guitarist known for his vibrant, multilayered technique, blending influences from jazz, Spanish guitar, pop and rock. His performances have attracted hundreds of thousands of views online, and Guitar World magazine has described his playing as “epic”. As well as contributing to books by leading guitarists including Tommy Emmanuel and Mike Stern, his own publications such as Advanced Acoustic Fingerstyle Guitar have received wide critical acclaim. He tours frequently with Moscow Drug Club and the tango group Tango Calor, and his playing features in the film Last Night in Soho.

Mike Daniels is a trumpet player and music educator based in Bath who performs widely across the South West. Alongside a busy freelance career with ensembles including Bath Philharmonia and many regional choral societies, he specialises in historical performance on the natural trumpet with groups such as Bath Baroque. Mike performs regularly in theatre pits in Bath and Bristol, plays with Premiere Brass Quintet and leads several jazz ensembles including his own quartet and quintet. He is Music Director and tutor at Jazz Factory, a weekly jazz workshop at the Wiltshire Music Centre, and is in demand as a lead trumpet player and musical director.

Matt Finch is a musical director, choir leader, composer and arranger who has been bringing people together through music for over 25 years. He works across a wide range of genres including classical choral music, musical theatre and pop, directing choirs and orchestras and creating arrangements by commission. His work has included large-scale online choir projects, choral events across the UK and performances in venues ranging from Bath Abbey to Bath Football Stadium. In 2022 he won the Sir David Willcocks Carol Competition.

Emily Andrews is a versatile flautist, singer and multi-instrumentalist whose work spans classical, folk and world music. She studied Mathematics at the University of Cambridge before completing a Master’s degree in flute performance with Distinction at the Royal Academy of Music. Emily performs widely as a chamber musician, including with the Andrews Massey Duo, which has toured internationally and appeared at venues such as Wigmore Hall and St Martin-in-the-Fields. Alongside her performing career she is an orchestral freelancer with ensembles including Welsh National Opera and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and is a passionate workshop leader and music educator.

Francisco Correa is a Colombian guitarist praised for his expressive playing and virtuosic performances. He has performed in more than 20 countries across Europe and the Americas, including concerto appearances with orchestras such as the Bogotá Philharmonic Orchestra and the National Symphony Orchestra of Colombia. An award-winning musician and recording artist, he performs regularly as a soloist and chamber musician, including in a duo with flautist Emily Andrews. Francisco is also Artistic Director of the Bristol Classical Guitar Society and the International Guitar Foundation Festival and Summer School, and is an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music.

Topaz is a flute and harp duo formed by flautist Michelle Krawiec and harpist Julia Hammersley, who have been performing together for nearly ten years. They were first brought together for a performance of Dave Heath’s Beyond the Dark and later performed Mozart’s Flute and Harp Concerto with the Bath Spa University Orchestra at the Guildhall in Bath. The duo performs a wide-ranging repertoire including classical, jazz and contemporary music, as well as popular arrangements. Alongside their performing work, both Michelle and Julia are experienced orchestral musicians and dedicated music teachers in the Bristol area.

Trio Paradis, based in Bath, is a classical piano trio featuring Jacquelyn Bevan (piano), Ruth O’Shea (violin) and Linda Stocks (cello). They perform Café Concerts across Somerset and Wiltshire, creating informal, welcoming events that encourage conversation and community, and also bring music to local care homes. The trio is committed to highlighting music by female and under-performed composers, including an annual International Women’s Day programme featuring works exclusively by women. In addition to daytime concerts, Trio Paradis performs evening events, weddings and private occasions with tailor-made programmes.

Edward Leaker is a professional saxophonist and clarinettist based in the UK, performing on soprano, alto and tenor saxophones as well as clarinet. He studied at the Royal Academy of Music, London, and is a Licentiate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, graduating with a first-class honours degree. Edward performs widely across the UK and Europe, appearing at venues such as the Royal Albert Hall, the 100 Club in London, and twice for The Queen, and has worked with ensembles including the National Youth Jazz Orchestra and the Bristol Ensemble. Alongside performing, he teaches at Wells Cathedral Specialist Music School, runs private lessons and workshops, and leads his own projects including Swing Machine Jazz Orchestra, Blaze and The Edward Leaker Band.

African Fusion is a Bristol-based duo featuring Alain Rouamba and Servo Mputu, combining West and Central African musical traditions. They are versatile performers, drummers, singers, multi-instrumentalists and songwriters, bringing African rhythms and melodies to life on instruments including mbira, kamale ngoni, djembe, congas, cajon and guitar. Their repertoire spans traditional ethnic tunes as well as reggae, blues, rumba, jazz, salsa and Caribbean music. Both artists have performed at festivals and workshops in Africa and the UK, creating a vibrant, contemporary sound that celebrates diversity and invites audience participation.

Lucy Hewson – Violin and Viola
Lucy Hewson is a violinist and violist with extensive experience in classical and contemporary music. She studied at Royal Holloway, Guildhall School of Music & Drama, and Trinity Laban, and has performed in prestigious venues including the Royal Albert Hall. Lucy’s diverse career includes performing with large choirs, orchestras, and even collaborating with drum and bass collective Reprazent. She is passionate about bringing live music to local communities, particularly through projects supporting isolated audiences.

Rebecca Prosser – Recorder and Piano
Rebecca Prosser is a recorder and piano player who trained at the Royal College of Music and continues to study with inspiring musicians. Her career has taken her across Europe and the Far East, performing with period instrument orchestras, ensembles, and at major UK festivals. Highlights include playing for Ballet Rambert, broadcasting live on BBC Radio 3, and recording for the Harry Potter soundtrack at Abbey Road Studios. Rebecca is dedicated to sharing music with communities and exploring innovative ways to perform, including online concerts during the pandemic.

Claire King is a freelance clarinetist and educator who studied at Dartington College of Arts and with David Campbell. She performs with ensembles including the Roaring Forks Wind Quintet and Wessex Clarinet Quartet, and has worked with Opera Project, Bath Philharmonia and Chroma Chamber Ensemble. Claire teaches at Bath Spa University, runs a clarinet ensemble, and established the Community Clarinet Choir Ebonite, giving regular charity concerts. She also delivers creative music workshops for schools, older adults, and people with additional needs, bringing music to a wide range of communities.

Simon Kodurand is a violinist equally skilled on modern and baroque instruments, with a diverse career as performer, presenter and teacher. He studied at the Royal College and Royal Academy of Music, and has performed with orchestras and period ensembles across the UK, as well as on BBC and international radio. Simon is Artistic Director of both the Bristol Ensemble and the Somerset International Festival of the Arts, and co-founder of the Florentine Arts Ensemble, curating events exploring music and art. Alongside his professional work, he is passionate about community engagement, directing education programmes and performing in rural areas throughout the year.

Nicki Woodward is a flautist who studied flute and piano at the Royal College of Music, winning exhibition scholarships and the Eve Kisch Flute Prize. She has performed widely as a soloist, giving recitals at Wigmore Hall and the Purcell Room and appearing live on Classic FM, and has worked with orchestras including the London Philharmonic and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. Nicki has also toured internationally and spent many years performing community concerts through the Live Music Now! scheme. Alongside her classical work she has a strong interest in folk and world music, recording and performing projects that explore these traditions and introducing them to younger musicians.

Marian Givens is a violinist who studied at Royal Holloway before completing a postgraduate performance diploma and LRAM teaching qualification at the Royal Academy of Music. She enjoys a varied career spanning classical, pop and session work, touring with artists including Beverley Knight, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Giorgio Moroder, and performing with orchestras such as the BBC Concert Orchestra and London Mozart Players. Marian is co-principal second violin of the Essential Orchestra, touring regularly with Pete Tong, and has been a member of the Bristol Ensemble since 2011. Alongside performing, she is passionate about music education and teaches at Salisbury Cathedral School and Wellington School, as well as leading workshops for young musicians.