Strings

Maddie Johnston is a cellist and singer studying at the Royal Academy of Music with Josephine Knight. Her performing highlights include peforming at The WCTC (World Congress on Thyroid Cancer) Gala Evening at OXO Tower, (London) and ‘The Chartered Institution for Further Education’ Admissions Ceremony at Apothecaries’ Hall, (London). She has also worked with the Malta Philharmonic for the Versatile Festival and recorded with the British electronic group ‘Underworld’. She has a strong background in choral training and has sung in venues over the North of England, including Newcastle Cathedral, Durham Cathedral, Newcastle City Hall and The Glasshouse International Centre for Music. Maddie strives to bring music to all ages and backgrounds and has worked with Age UK to provide a safe space for dementia patients to listen and respond to classical music, and also the CityLit percussion orchestra working with disabled adults to create music. She has a strong background working with children, having run creative workshops across the north of England, and strongly believes in the encouragement of musicality from a young age.

Jennifer Sturt is an accomplished cellist and dedicated educator with a passion for helping students of all levels and ages unlock the joys of music. As a recipient of the highly competitive fellowship at Southbank Sinfonia (now Sinfonia Smith Square), she has toured the UK and Europe playing chamber music and partaken in projects with the Royal Opera House, Chineke! Orchestra and British Youth Opera. For the last 2 years, she has been the principal cellist at the Ernest Read Symphony Orchestra.

Raised in a musical family in Sussex, Jennifer began learning the cello at age five, guided by her mother. Though initially challenging, her love for the cello grew as she discovered its power to tell stories without words. Her involvement in youth orchestras solidified her decision to pursue music professionally and her career took off during her studies under Santiago Carvalho.

She graduated with first-class honours from Trinity Laban Conservatoire, where her performances with the Smith Quartet and as principal cellist for Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique earned her the Silver Medal for outstanding contributions to the strings department. Jennifer then completed her MMus. at the Royal Academy of Music, where she focused on exploring overlooked repertoire and collaboration with contemporary composers.

Jennifer brings this passion for collaboration and discovery into her teaching. With over 4 years of both one-to-one and group based teaching experience in London, she tailors lessons to each student’s needs, balancing technique and creativity. Whether preparing students for exams or nurturing a love for improvisation, Jennifer’s goal is to make learning the cello enjoyable and fulfilling.