Hugh Mackay

Cello, Royal Academy of Music

Scottish cellist Hugh Mackay is a versatile young artist whose work spans a range of styles, repertoire and collaborations. He has performed in some of the world’s leading venues, including the Royal Festival Hall and Konzerthaus Dortmund.

Hugh received his formative education at St Mary’s Music School (Edinburgh) and is currently an Advanced Diploma student at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he holds the Yadegar-Hall Award and was the recipient of a Regency Award and the Sir John Barbirolli Memorial Award.

Hugh made his professional concerto debut with the Bremer Philharmoniker, working with chief conductor Marko Letonja in 2021. An avid chamber musician, Hugh has performed at the Perth Festial of the Arts as a Cross Trust Artist of the Year and has made regular appearances at more than ten festivals across the UK. In October 2023 he began collaborating with pianist Junya Chen, with whom he will tour Scotland in 2024.

Hugh’s accolades include the 2023 Schiermonnikoog Festival Audience Prize, and during his studies he received the 2023 Nancy Nuttall Early Music Competition, the 2021 Harold Craxton Prize, the 2020 May Mukle Cello Sonata Prize, and first place at the 2019 Isaacs Pirani Piano Trio Competition.

Last season, Hugh performed with the LSO as a member of the String Experience Scheme and, since 2021, Hugh has been working with conductor John Wilson and Sinfonia of London on several recording and concert projects.

In addition to being an LSO Conservatoire Scholar, Hugh is supported by Help Musicians UK, the Countess of Munster Trust and Battersea United Charities. He was also a past recipient of a Dewar Arts Award and grants from the Beatrice Huntingdon Awards, the Cross Trust, and the Waddell Trust.