Our Conservatoire Scholars

Piano, Royal College of Music

Born and raised in Bucharest, pianist and educator Cristiana Achim is one of the most sought-after musicians of her generation. After graduating from the Royal College of Music with First Class Honours in 2022, Cristiana is currently pursuing her Masters under the tutelage of Nigel Clayton at the Royal College of Music. She is generously supported by numerous scholarships in addition to her LSO Conservatoire Scholarship, such as the C Bechstein Scholarship, Help Musicians Postgraduate Awards and Talent Unlimited Music Charity.

Piano, Royal College of Music

Mykyta (Nikita) was born into a family of musicians in Donetsk, Ukraine. He began playing the piano at the age of seven, studying under Professor Nataliya Chesnokova. In 2008 he joined a special music school for gifted children in Donetsk, and in 2015 received a full scholarship to Wells Cathedral School, studying under John Byrne.

Double Bass, Royal College of Music

Will Duerden began playing the double bass at the age of seven, and two years later was awarded a full scholarship to the Yehudi Menuhin School. As a keen chamber musician, he has worked with artists including Lawrence Power, the Sitkovetsky Trio and the Echea Quartet. Will is also a member of the LGT Young Soloists and the prestigious Young Classical Artists Trust’s roster.

Tuba, Royal College of Music

Born in Bolton, Connor picked up the tuba at the age of eleven. He is currently a Micheal Quinn Scholarship holder studying at the Royal College of Music, under Peter Smith, Daniel Trodden and James Buckle. He has worked with professional orchestras throughout the UK.

Viola, Guildhall School

Equally in demand as a violinist and violist, Elliot Kempton regular performs as a soloist and chamber musician across Europe; recent appearances include Wigmore Hall (London), Auditorio Sony (Madrid), Museo del Violino (Cremona), and the Palacio de Festivales, (Santander).

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.

Violin, Royal College of Music

British violinist Joel David Munday performs internationally as a soloist and chamber musician. He has given concerts in Europe, America and Asia, and has recently had debut performances in Holland, Spain, Bulgaria, Serbia and Germany. While his extensive repertoire incorporates all of the major violin works, he has a particular interest in exploring lesser known and contemporary music.

Trombone, Royal College of Music

Meggie is currently studying a Master’s degree at the Royal College of Music in London where she is studying under Lindsay Shilling, Byron Fulcher, Matthew Knight, Becky Smith and Amos Miller. Meggie was a former Elton John scholarship holder at the Royal Academy of Music, where she did her undergraduate degree and studied under Matthew Gee, Peter Moore, and Ian Bousfield.

Harp, Royal Academy of Music

Aisha is an emerging young harpist who has performed across the UK in venues such as Cadogan Hall, the Queen Elizabeth Hall, the BBC Hoddinott Hall and the House of Lords. A passionate orchestral player, Aisha has performed with a variety of orchestras including Odyssey Orchestra, London City Philharmonic, Folkestone Symphony Orchestra and the Hastings Sinfonia, working with the conductors Ryan Wigglesworth, Timothy Weiss and John Wilson.

Clarinet, Royal Academy of Music

Ivan Rogachev is a clarinetist, balancing his diverse practice between solo, orchestral and chamber music. As an orchestral musician, Ivan won a position at the Britten-Shostakovich Festival Orchestra in 2019 and a solo clarinet position at London Sinfonietta Academy in 2020. In 2021, he won a principal position in the Russian National Youth Orchestra. He has performed with professional orchestras including the Southbank Sinfonia, London Sinfonietta, St Petersburg State Symphony Orchestra and Tolyatti Philharmonic Orchestra.

Trombone, Royal College of Music

From a musical family, Jamie began playing trombone at the age of seven, taught by Alan Hutt. He was awarded a scholarship place at Wells Cathedral School in 2008, and after his studies at Wells with Alan, and later Andy Fawbert and Emily White, he moved to London, and to the Royal Academy of Music, studying under Mark Templeton, Mattew Gee, Dudley Bright and Ian Bousfield.