The Dash Quartet
Formed in 2023, the Dash Quartet brings together four established professional musicians based in the
East Riding of Yorkshire. This beautiful combination of flute, oboe, clarinet and piano is at home
with a varied repertoire that ranges from classical to jazz, film music and beyond.
Della Blood (flute) was born in Sheffield and developed an interest in music from an early age. However, it wasn’t until the age of 13, and after hearing the flautist James Galway, that she decided to learn the flute. Della graduated from Huddersfield Polytechnic (as it was then known) and subsequently studied with Trevor Wye, Kate Hill, Clare Southworth and Rachel Brown at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, where she gained a postgraduate diploma in performance. Since then, Della has carved a successful career as a freelance musician and teacher. She currently works for St. Peter’s School in York and Pocklington School. Della has been the principal flute with York Guildhall Orchestra for many years and has performed concertos with Scarborough Symphony Orchestra, York Symphony Orchestra and York Guildhall Orchestra, as well as many recitals of popular flute repertoire.
Helena Bidder (oboe) studied at Chetham's School of Music in Manchester. After gaining places at all the major London music colleges, she went to study for her degree at Guildhall School of Music and Drama with Nicholas Daniel. She completed her postgraduate training at the Royal Academy of Music with George Caird. There she obtained a scholarship for a second year of study and the Nicholas Blake prize for chamber music. Helena enjoys a varied career of performing, composing, teaching and creating music interactive resoures. She has performed with local and national groups including Opera North, Manchester Camerata and the National Symphony Orchestra. She is currently principal oboist for the newly formed local professional orchestra, the East Riding Concert Orchestra. In addition to playing with the Dash Quartet, she also performs with Force Five wind quintet.
Sharon Walker (clarinet) was born and brought up in Harrogate. She started learning the clarinet in school at the age of eight before taking up the saxophone, flute and piano during her time at secondary school. Sharon was a student at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, studying clarinet and saxophone with Josef Pacewicz (RSNO). Sharon’s teaching career started in Liverpool before moving to the East Riding in 1992 to take up a teaching post with the County Music Service. Sharon has been principal clarinet of the Hull Philharmonic Orchestra since 1994 and she performs in a solo capacity whenever her hectic schedule allows. In 2019 Sharon was invited to become a Syllabus Consultant and Selector for the ABRSM, a role that she thoroughly enjoys.
Amy Butler (piano) studied with British concert pianist Martin Roscoe and gained a first class Master's degree from the University of Oxford. Her passion lies in chamber music and creative projects with other musicians. She regularly collaborates with award-winning artists including violinists Boglárka György and Katy Smith, and pianist Graziana Presicce, with whom she performs as the Luna Piano Duo; the duo have recently recorded their first album, due for release on the Prima Facie label. Amy performs across the UK and abroad, with recent highlights including Stratford-upon-Avon Music Society, Balliol College Musical Society, Póvoa de Varzim (Portugal), Warwick Arts Centre and the Guild of Musicians and Singers (London). Amy is also a co-founder of Howdenshire Music, a classical concert series based in Howden, East Yorkshire.