I graduated from the Royal Academy of Music in 2007 with a 1st class Bachelor of Music degree with honours in viola, second study historical violas. My teachers were James Sleigh and Jane Rogers. Afterwards I suffered from pain and anxiety and so had lessons with Brien Stait and trained to be an Alexander Technique teacher. The rest, as they say…!
- Hill Ensemble – with Megan Hill (violin) and Matt Strover (‘cello). Follow us at https://www.instagram.com/p/DPFGmluDLco/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Other groups I regularly play for are:
- Solomon’s Knot – incredible vocal ensemble https://www.solomonsknot.co.uk/?srsltid=AfmBOoqjjgqyLJnddpzYrO1mFNHyJ-audKYM1FEUfePgOVy_YKwePEeU
- Fiori Musicali – Baroque and Classical chamber group in the Midlands https://fiori-musicali.com/
- Julian Quartet, with my dear friends Jean Patterson and Lucy Hewson (violins) and Cressida Nash (‘cello), whose current project is pairing the late Beethoven quartets with the Four Quartets of T.S. Eliot. Past concert: https://www.dodevillage.com/events/concert-by-candlelight-poetry-music-evening/
- Istante Collective – Baroque and Classical intriguing programmes (and food!) in Hampstead https://baroquestock.com/istante-collective/
- Spiritato – innovative historical projects https://www.spiritato.co.uk/
- Academy of Ancient Music https://aam.co.uk/
- Weddington Strings – Candlelight Concerts and events based in Kent https://www.weddingtonstrings.com/
- Nero Quartet – quartet for events based in Birmingham https://www.nerostringquartet.com/
- Brandenburg Sinfonia – versatile orchestra, baroque or modern https://www.brandenburg.org.uk/sinfonia
- Stretto Ensembles – string groups for any occasion based in the Southeast https://www.stretto-ensembles.com/
I enjoyed being part of these recordings:
Nichola Joy Blakey 