Jeremy Sampson

Jeremy Sampson studied at the Royal College of Music then spent two years as violinist-in-residence at Oundle School, returning to London to freelance with Orchestra of St. John’s, City of London Sinfonia, London Mozart Players and Corelli Strings.

Chrissie Robbings

Christine Townsend studied violin at the Royal Academy of Music and went on to pursue a career as a chamber musician and principal orchestral player with the London Philharmonic & City of Birmingham Orchestras.

Nick Evans-Pugh

Mary Young

Mary Young studied the Violin at Trinity College of Music in London and was the youngest person to win the TCM Soloist competition perfoming Bartok Concerto no.2 in St John’s Smith Square. Mary loves recording and has recorded for short film ‘The Violinist’ which you can see on YouTube, Littlewoods and Oatibix adverts, Open Doors Christmas appeal film, and an advert featuring Serena Williams.

Rachel Ellis

Rachel Ellis began her musical training at the Kent Junior Music School in Maidstone on Saturday mornings where she studied with Gillian Sansom. From there she won a scholarship to the Royal College of Music where she studied with Jaroslav Vanecek for 5 years. On leaving college she worked with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra for a short spell, taught and coached for Hounslow Borough Council and played second violin in the Dove String quartet for an intense 3 years.

Sonja Tuomela

Sonja is a Finnish violinist currently based in London as a freelance musician, combining teaching and performing as part of various professional ensembles. Her performances range from chamber music recitals to musical theatre shows and include events such as the ‘Suomi 100’ concert series at the Finnish Embassy in London, the Finnish premiere of the ‘Miksi Juuri Minä’ [Why Me] chamber opera by Timo-Juhani Kyllönen, and her own ‘Grace Notes Community Concerts’ series in Highgate, London. She also regularly performs as a member of King’s Chamber Orchestra, as well as with Ignis Piano Quartet and other chamber groups.

Katie Le Feuvre

Well known in KCO circles as the coolest cucumber around, Katie studied viola at the Royal Academy of Music, London and the Royal Danish Academy of Music before settling in Copenhagen where she holds the record for the viola player able to pour the most pints simultaneously. Katie’s musical adventures have also encompassed the baroque viola and the erhu, as well as contemplations on the colour purple. She aspires to create the world’s first viola-led disco collective 🪐🪩

Julia Joyce

Julia has been Principal Viola of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra since 2011. Before taking up the appointment, Julia had a position in the Philharmonia Orchestra of London and toured regularly worldwide. During her time in London, she spent three years at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, obtaining a Master of Music in 2008. This year Julia and Andrew have taken some time off the NZSO to spend time in the UK with family and musical friends. Julia is playing Guest principal with the Philharmonia Orchestra of London during this time as well as some other exciting freelancing concerts.

Gerard Le Feuvre

Gerard Le Feuvre – Director was born in Jersey and is a distant cousin of Jacqueline DuPre. He won a scholarship to the Royal academy in 1980 starting joint first study on cello and piano, but discovering Quickly that the cello was his first love. He went on to study with scholarships to the USA, Canada, Switzerland Finland and Sweden, studying with some of the most celebrated teachers in the twentieth century. He has performed perhaps a 1000 times as soloist in recital and with orchestra across many countries, was a member of the celebrated English String Quartet for many years, and found that his greatest passion, expressed through KCO is to bring live music to fresh audiences.

Andrew Joyce

Before joining the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra in September 2010, Andrew spent five years freelancing in London. Andrew regularly worked with the London Symphony and London Philharmonic Orchestras, touring and performing in some of the world’s most renowned concert halls. He also played as Guest Principal with Northern Sinfonia, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

James Conway

James Conway is a Cellist currently studying at the Royal Northern College of Music under Nicholas Trygstad. Born in Hastings, James started Cello aged six through East Sussex Music. He later studied at the Royal College of Music Junior Department under James Halsey and was awarded the Esther Coleman Prize for ‘outstanding contribution and achievement’. During his time at RCMJD, James was a highly active chamber musician and embraced the opportunity to play in the Purcell Room, as well as being Principal Cello of the RCMJD Symphony Orchestra, and Principal Cello for the recording and premiere of a new work for English National Ballet

Matt Begg

Since graduating from the The Royal College of Music in 2018, Matt has pursued a wide variety of music, playing in groups ranging from the classical music he was trained in, to jazz, and even to club tunes. Matt has played in venues including The Royal Albert Hall and the Southbank center, as well as in some Uk festivals, such as Bestival. Outside of music, Matt enjoys gardening and cooking.

Elijah Debenham

Elijah is a Brighton based drummer, studying Rock Drum Kit at BIMM. He’s an international rock drummer,but has been tamed by KCO to play with us in Jersey and beyond. Watch out for Elijah’s upcoming projects, releasing soon…

Nigel Clayton

Nigel Clayton studied with Stephen Savage and Angus Morrison at the Royal College of Music, where he won prizes in every category of piano performance and was awarded the College’s yearly award for his Bachelor of Music degree.His world-wide performing has included four major tours of India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan with the Indian Cellist Anup Kumar Biswas, tours of the Middle East and America with Wissam Boustany, of Scandinavia with Gerard Le Feuvre and throughout every European country. Nigel also continues to perform as soloist and recently gave his one hundredth concert on board the British cruise liner SS Canberra as well as cruises on MV Oriana, Victoria and Arcadia P&O’s newest luxury ship. Nigel has appeared alongside such artists as Michael Collins, Sylvia Marcovic, Ofra Harnoy, Tasmin Little, Bryan Rayner Cook the Chillingirian, Sorrel and Bingam Quartets, and with instrumentalists from Japan, Korea, Canada, and more.

Imma Setiadi

Imma Setiadi was born in Surabaya, Indonesia. A fascination for the piano at her home led to lessons with local teachers who suggested a more serious training. At the age of fifteen, she was invited to perform one of her own compositions in UNICEF-YAMAHA Junior Original Concert in Hong Kong. She then received her Bachelor of Music degree (first class honours) from the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music in Singapore with Albert Tiu and a Distinction in her Master of Music degree where she studied with Nigel Clayton at the Royal College of Music, London. In 2017 she completed her Doctoral degree from the RCM, studying with Nigel Clayton and Amanda Glauert. Whilst in the UK, she has performed as soloist and chamber musician at St. John’s Smith Square, The Elgar Room at the Royal Albert Hall, and as orchestral pianist at The Queen Elizabeth Hall and The Royal Festival Hall. Her concerto engagements have included Shostakovich Piano Concerto Nos. 1 and 2, Schumann Concerto, and Beethoven Emperor Concerto (at St. Martin-in-the Fields).