Richard Aylwin, Violin

Richard studied the violin with Kenneth Piper at the Royal College of Music where he also won the Cobbett prize for composition. He left his position as No3 1^st violin in the Halle Orchestra to become Principal 1^st violin of the BBC Symphony Orchestra in 1992. In addition to his BBC commitments Richard is the Leader of the “de Havilland Philharmonic” with whom he has also appeared as a soloist, performing The Lark Ascending by Vaughan Williams, Bruch violin concerto and the 1^st Violin Concerto by Bartok.

Ruth Hudson, Violin

Ruth gained a First Class Honours degree in Music at the University of Reading whilst studying the violin with Alfredo Campoli. After playing with the Halle Orchestra for seven years, where she met her husband Richard Aylwin, she also joined the BBC Symphony Orchestra in 1992 and was promoted to the position of sub-principal 2^nd violin in 2003. Ruth is principal 2^nd Violin in the “de Havilland Philharmonic” and has performed with the orchestra as a soloist.

Amanda Denley, Viola

Amanda studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama where she won both the prestigious Viola Prizes. She was No.3 Viola in the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra for three years, moving to the BBC Symphony Orchestra for another three years. Amanda is now a freelance musician working with most of the London orchestras. She also has a thriving private teaching practice.   

 Natalie Taylor, Viola

Natalie Taylor studied Viola at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama with Amanda Denley.   Whilst at the Guildhall she was a member of the Collenot Quartet and studied with the Takacs Quartet, Edith Vogel and at Dartington with the Brodsky Quartet.    Following her graduation, Natalie joined the BBC Symphony Orchestra in 1994.  At the same time she began her association as a guest player with the Forest  Philharmonic taking over as principal in 2000.  In 2001 she recorded a CD of the Trout Quintet with the Beltane Ensemble.  As a regular performer with the Urban Soul Orchestra, Natalie performed at the Electric Proms with Niitin Sawhney in 2008.  She has also collaborated on albums with the Cuban violinist Omar Puente and her brother, jazz bassist, Darren Taylor.

Graham Bradshaw, Cello

Graham studied at the Royal Academy of Music with Florence Hooton, winning the Moor Carnegie Prize and the Countess of Munster Award. He played for three years with the Strange Quartet, who were resident at the University of Sussex, before joining the BBC Symphony Orchestra 1978. He was promoted seat by seat to his present position of Co-Principal Cello in 2002. He was principal Cello in the Walthamstow Forest Philharmonic Orchestra for 20 years, and is also principal Cello in the “de Havilland Philharmonic”. Graham plays in various other chamber groups in his spare time.