Our next concert includes the Norfolk Rhapsody by Vaughan Williams, Borodin’s exciting Symphony 2 and Brahms Violin Concerto. The atmospheric Vaughan Williams piece continues our theme of having an English component to each of our concerts this year.
Kay Stephen is our soloist for the Brahms. Don’t worry that she is playing the viola in the pic. She plays both!
Kay Stephen (violin and viola) was born in Aberdeen and completed her undergraduate studies at the RSAMD with Katie Hull and Andrew Berridge (viola), graduating with a 1st class honours and top of her year in 2009. During her time there she was awarded many prizes including the Mabel Glover string quartet Prize, as 1st violinist in the Nova quartet, and the Bessie Spence prize for her performance of the Walton violin concerto (1st movement) with the RSAMD symphony orchestra. She was privileged to perform chamber music alongside musicians such as the Brodsky and Maggini quartets and Ilya Gringolts; under the baton of Vladimir Ashkenazy, Martyn Brabbins, Ilan Volkov and Gary Walker, and participated in apprenticeship schemes with the Orchestra of Scottish Opera and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra with whom she is now on trial.
As the inaugural recipient of the Riga Heesom Award and the 2009 winner of the Ruth Waddell Memorial Prize, Kay was able to enter first year of the Masters Programme at the RNCM, where she studies with Pavel Fischer and viola with Michael Gurevich. Since arriving in October she has gained the highest violin mark in her orchestral audition, resulting in numerous leading opportunities and won a place on the BBC Philharmonic’s professional experience scheme.
Kay is grateful to the Robert Nicol Trust who also support her studies.
Leave a Comment so far
Leave a comment
