Biography
Connie is a dynamic British violist, captivating audiences across Europe as a soloist, chamber musician and orchestral leader.
Her extensive experience in chamber music is complemented by a passion for curating collaborative concerts. Her artistic and conceptual approach has been largely influenced by notable musicians encountered at festivals and residencies including Yellow Barn, Ozawa Academy, Mendelssohn on Mull, AIMS Academy, Lac Leman, Llandtwitt, Stamford and Zermatt Music Festival. Connie’s performances at the 2019 and 2022 IMS Prussia Cove seminar concerts led to her regular participation in IMS Open Chamber Music sessions. A highlight of Connie's recent achievements was her solo performances at the Schiermonnikoog festival, which promted an invitation to perform at Het Concertgebouw. Furthermore, Connie features on the recently released album "Soliloquies" alongside Maria Hegele and Anna Szalucka, interpreting Frank Bridge’s Songs for voice, viola, and piano.
Based in Amsterdam, Connie is a member of the Marigold Piano Quartet, who recently took the Netherlands by storm, with performances at the Concertgebouw, Muzeikgebouw and multiple features on the Dutch classical Radio 4. The quartet, known for their passionate and sincere approach to chamber music, embraces works from various periods and frequently performs as a string trio. Connie enjoys playing across a spectrum of groups, ranging from chamber to symphony orchestras. She has regular engagements with renowned orchestras such as the Amsterdam Sinfonietta, O’Modernt Chamber Orchestra, Concertgebouw Orchestra, 12 Ensemble, Netherlands Chamber Orchetsra and Netherlands Radio Philharmonic. Connie founded the Seida Ensemble, a string orchestra formed of compelling and progressive musicians based in Britain and Europe. Together with Emily Turkanik and Raphael Papo, Connie directs Seida Ensemble who recently launched their venture ‘music@work’ and who’s musicians have a drive to push the boundaries of their artistic potential and a passion for communicating to a variety of audiences and communities.
Connie's musical journey includes past roles as the violist for the Ebenos and Serpentine Ensembles, exploring a fusion of wind and string repertoire. Her diverse experiences extend to performances at Wigmore Hall with the RCM Chamber Musicians and premiering contemporary chamber music with the Echo Ensemble. Beyond classical realms, Connie showcases her versatility as a violinist, having played in the Capital Orchestra and engaging with popular and jazz culture alongside emerging artists. Her involvement with popular artists and producers, including Joy Crookes, Max Pope, Hilts, and Ezra Lloyd Jackson, reflects her interest in composing and collaborative exploration. Connie actively supports Sarcoma UK through fundraising initiatives. Noteworthy events include a solo recital in London in March 2019, a christmas online performance with Bryony Gibson-Cornish and a virtual concert of Britten’s Lachrymae with Bradley Wood in 2020.
Connie began playing the violin and viola when she earned a place at the Royal Academy of Music to study the violin and viola under Erica Graigner de Sa and Jacky Woods, respectively. Whilst there her accolades included the John McAslan Violin Prize, Viola Prize, and Lower Strings Prize. She proceeded to study with Andriy Viytovych, Bryony Gibson-Cornish, and Gabrielle Lester at the Royal College of Music, where she graduated with first-class honors. As a principal violist for all college orchestras, Connie garnered recognition with the Viola Prize in her second year and benefited from memorable masterclasses with esteemed musicians such as Lawrence Power, Maxim Rysanov, Antonello Farulli, Isabelle Villanueva, and Jennifer Stumm. Connie graduated from her master's degree at the Conservatoire van Amsterdam with Nobuko Imai and Marjolein Dispa, with a ‘summa cum laude’ distinction for her final recital.
Connie plays on a Charles Coquet viola and an Emmanuel Carlier bow.