FRIDAY, 8TH MARCH 2024
KATHARINE LEY CELLO
JANE O'FARRELL PIANO
1PM
British Cellist, Katharine Ley enjoys a varied portfolio career with much performing and teaching
work.
Katharine plays as Concerto and Recital Soloist, is a String Ensemble Tutor and has a handful
of private Cello students.
Katharine’s earlier musical education was at the Royal Birmingham Junior Conservatoire where she
led the Chamber and Symphony Orchestras. At the age of 16, Katharine advanced her studies with
Soloist Felix Schmidt while simultaneously playing in the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain.
This was extremely progressive for Katharine prior to entering the Royal Northern College of Music
where she graduated with a First Class Bachelor of Music with Honours. Following this Katharine
commenced her private studies with Cellist Raphael Wallfisch in London.
As a Soloist, Katharine has performed internationally in many concerts and public masterclasses.
Some examples include performing in masterclasses to Natasha Brofsky, Roel Dieltiens, Julian Lloyd
Webber, Miklos Perenyi and Hannah Roberts.
Katharine has much Orchestral experience having participated in projects, rehearsals and concerts
with professional orchestras such as the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, Katharine was a
fellow at the San Francisco Academy Orchestra and gained Orchestral mentorship from Amos Yang,
Assistant Principal Cello of the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra.
Katharine plays on a Betts School Cello (c. 1790) paired with a John Clutterbuck bow.
Jane O’Farrell studied at the Royal College of Music with Kendall Taylor
and Bernard Roberts. She has performed both as a soloist and
accompanist with singers and instrumentalists, been assistant musical
director for various musicals, and works with two choirs. She is also a
piano teacher, and whilst being a board member of the Lincolnshire
International Chamber Music Festival has introduced many young people
to live classical music through taking professional performers into schools
to give workshops.