Strings

Emma has recently won the Musicians' Company Award 2019 and she has been entitled to become a Yeoman of the Company and to join a Young Artist Program for the duration of five years. Born in Como, Emma regularly performs across Italy and the UK as a soloist and in different ensembles. She is currently based in London and has recently graduated from the Royal College of Music with distinction. Emma has been awarded a full scholarship for Master studies at the prestigious Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance.

From her debut in Romania at the age of 16 with the Orchestra of Bacau in Sibelius Concerto for violin and orchestra, Emma’s performances have taken her all around Europe, from France to Switzerland to Spain, Russia, Romania, Greece, UK and the Netherlands.

Upon attending masterclasses with the likes of Sergej Krylov, Zakhar Bron- in Sommer Academie Salzburg Mozarteum- and Tchaikovsky Trio, and performing in prestigious concert halls, including the Estense Hall in Varese, Ateneu hall in Bacau, as soloist with the Philarmonic Orchestra Mihail Jora, and Rachmaninov Hall of Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory, Sale Apollinee at La Fenice Theatre in Venice, Palazzo Pitti in Florence, Teatro Sociale in Como, Zandonai Theatre in Rovereto, Auditorium Gaber and Sala Verdi in Milan, St. James Piccadilly, Russian Cultural Centre, amongst many other venues in London.

Emma has won numerous national and international competitions in Italy, as a soloist and in chamber ensembles, including one of the highest Italian prizes, the Rassegna Castrocaro Classica. At this competition she was also awarded the audience prize. She was awarded in other important competitions as Biennial Violin Competition Vittorio Veneto (Special Prize for talent and excellence); European Moncalieri Competition-Violin and Orchestra; Barlassina International Youngs Talent Competition; F.Pavia National Competition; National Giussano Competition; Bellagio and Como Lake Festival International Competition. She also was awarded as the best graduate in Como, Franz Terraneo Prize.

She was artist in residence for the Fondazione La Società dei Concerti di Milano for the season 2018/2019, with also various performances for the Associazione Musica con le Ali.

Emma plays on a precious F. Guadagnini violin

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.

Rocket Brooks is a talented violinist, educator and award-winning composer based in London. At the age of 10, she won a full scholarship to attend the prolific specialist music school, Wells Cathedral School, where she remained for 8 years under the careful guidance of Catherine Lord. Following this, she was awarded a scholarship to attend the prestigious Royal Academy of Music to study with renowned soloist, Jack Liebeck.

Rocket enjoys a career spanning across the board, from orchestral work, to chamber, and solo. She has freelanced with the Dartington Festival Orchestra, performed in the pit orchestra for the Bauge Opera Festival in France, and recorded on multiple albums. She has played under the baton of acclaimed conductors such as Semyon Bychkov and John Wilson. She regularly performs in her well established violin-viola duo alongside her sister, Summer Brooks, booked for the 2022 Budleigh Music Festival and numerous private functions.

Rocket is a passionate teacher who strives to tailor her lessons to the interests and abilities of each student uniquely. She believes in a creative and encouraging approach towards pedagogy, and is happy to explore both traditional and non-traditional routes. Her education as a percussionist and composer gives her the unique abilities which enable her to explore all different aspects of music.

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.

Catherine McCardel is a Violinist and Violist, currently at the Royal Academy of Music studying with Jack Liebeck and Jon Thorne with a full scholarship. Having grown up in Norwich, Catherine took part in various musical programmes, such as: Aldeburgh Young Musicians, Britten Sinfonia Academy, ProCorda ,National Childrens Orchestra and National Youth Orchestra. She then attended the Purcell School for young musicians from 2020-2022 where she studied with Alda Dizdari.

Catherine is very passionate about making music with others and seeking opportunities for new experiences. Whilst studying in London, Catherine began playing with professional ensembles such as St Pauls Sinfonia, where they regularly play in St Alfege Church Greenwich and Graffiti Classics- a string quartet which aims to promote classical music to all ages in a lively comedic way. With Graffiti Classics she also takes part in Playground Proms, which is a charity promoting music in underprivileged schools across the UK. She also has a passion for chamber music, whether it’s with her groups at the Royal Academy or in venues around the UK. Catherine regularly plays with the string ensembles in Covent Garden Market, Sarastro restaurant and at the Savoy, as well as weddings and other events. Catherine, along with 2 other teachers at YMM, (Rocket Brooks and Madeleine Johnston) recorded with the electronic group ‘Underworld’. Catherine has also performed extensively as a soloist. Recent performances include: Wymondham Symphony Orchestra where she played Mendelssohns Violin concerto in Wymondham Abbey. She has also played with Waveney Sinfonia, Max Bruch’s Violin concerto back in 2019 and Mozart’s 5th Violin Concerto in 2023. Catherine has also performed at St Peter Mancroft’s Lunchtime recital series and Southwold’s annual arts festiva. Catherine has a passion for all kinds of music genres, especially folk and jazz, and enjoys teaching skills such as improvisation

and learning by ear. She has also completed her LRAM teaching qualification and is passionate that each student enjoys and learns to love their instruments.