Biographies

quintetzambra — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 10:54:09 CDT

Heather North (flute) was born in Doncaster and began playing at the age of 7. Heather is now studying for her PGDdip at the Royal Academy of Music in London after successfully completing a BMus(Hons) at the RSAMD where she studied with Alison Mitchell (Principal, Scottish Chamber Orchestra). Heather enjoys orchestral playing, is a member of several active chamber groups and has participated in Masterclasses with Michael Cox, Paul Edmund-Davies, Phillipa Davies, Wissam Boustany, Peter Lloyd, Ian Clarke and Goran Markusson.

Sarah Cruickshank (oboe) graduated from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama with BMus (Hons) in 2007 and PGDip Mus in 2008. She is continuing her studies at the Royal College of Music in London on the Masters Programme.

Sarah is an enthusiastic orchestral player and has won places on apprenticeship schemes with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (2008) and Scottish Opera (2007 & 2008). Sarah has also performed with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and recorded and performed with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. In November 2008 Sarah performed an Albinoni Concerto with the Helensburgh Orchestral Society.

Nicola Turner (clarinet) was born in Edinburgh and began playing the clarinet when she was 11. Graduating from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama with a BMus (Hons) in 2007, where she studied with Maximiliano Martin and Simon Butterworth, she has since moved to London where she is studying for an MA at the Royal Academy of Music with Tim Lines, Angela Malsbury and Richard Addison.

Throughout her time as a clarinettist, Nicola has enjoyed a wide variety of performance experiences. At school in Edinburgh she played in several orchestras and ensembles with whom she toured to both France and Spain. In 2002, Nicola performed Crusell's Clarinet Concerto Op.5 in many venues in Edinburgh and on tour to Spain including venues in Cordoba, Granada and Seville. Since leaving school, Nicola has performed with the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland, RSAMD Orchestras and RAM Orchestras under the baton of Ilan Volkov, Lutz Koehler, Diago Masson, Yan Pascal Tortellier and Tadaaki Otaka. She has also gained Appreticeships with the RSNO (2005/06), the BBCSSO (2007/08) and recently took part in the LSO/RAM Scheme playing 2nd clarinet. Nicola is currently 2nd clarinet of the Young Musicians Symphony Orchestra with whom she has been performing for two years. She is also 2nd clarinet of the Helios Chamber Orchestra with whom she is touring to Spain at the end of August 2008.

As a soloist, Nicola has performed in masterclasses all over the UK with many prestigious players including Michael Collins, Joan-Enric Lluna, Anthony Pay, Andrew Marriner, Cristo Barrios, Barnaby Robson, Mark Van der Weill and Nick Cox.

Craig MacDonald (french horn) began playing the tenor horn at the age of 11. During his second year of high school he joined his first brass band, which is where the love of music began. Craig switched to french horn aged 17 and took up lessons with Ken Blackwood, then 4th horn with the RSNO. Craig then successfully applied for The National Youth Orchestra of Scotland and the RSAMD the following year and is currently in 4th year studying under David Flack (BBCSSO) and Hugh Potts (former BBCSSO). As well as playing with Quintet Zambra he is also a member of the successful brass quintet Alba Brass, members of the Live Music Now! Scheme and has recently formed a ten-piece brass ensemble. Last year he reached the final round of auditions for EUYO and was named a "Musician to be encouraged", he was also lucky enough to receive a Donald Dewar Arts award. This year Craig was principal horn in NYOS and recently had his professional debut with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.

Fraser Gordon (bassoon) - Born and educated in Edinburgh, Fraser initially trained as a violinist, graduating from the RSAMD with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. Following this, he decided to continue his studies on the bassoon at the Academy, receiving a BMus (performance) with 1st Class Honours and a Postgraduate Diploma with Distinction, completing his studies in June 2008.

Whilst a student, Fraser was successful in winning The Governors’ Wind Recital Prize, The Mary D Adams Prize for Chamber Music, The Mozart Concerto Prize, The Concerto Competition as well as the Peter Morrison Prize for overall excellence and contributions to the corporate life of the Academy. His solo appearances include Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante and Weber Bassoon Concerto with RSAMD Symphony Orchestra as well as several performances of Michael Daugherty’s Dead Elvis in full costume. Fraser has performed and recorded with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Scottish Ballet Orchestra, Orchestra of Scottish Opera, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, BBC Philharmonic and BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestras. He is in increasing demand as a teacher and Animateur.

Events Calendar

quintetzambra — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 04:31:32 CDT

Saturday 18th Nov 2006

Enterprise Music Scotland Showcase

Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama

13:00

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Friday 20th April 2007

Recital (post AGM)

Milngavie Music Club

Milngavie Town Hall

20:00

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Saturday 21st April 2007
Recital
Dollar Academy
19:30
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Monday 17th September

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Saturday 22nd September 2007

Evening Recital

Kyles of Bute Music Society

Tighnabruaich

19:30

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Saturday 30th September 2007
Recital
Brechin Arts Festival
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Friday 18th January 2008
Falkirk Young Artist's Performing Society Recital

Falkirk Town Hall

19:30
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Saturday 24th May 2008
Access to Art Recital
Christ Church, Dulwich, London
19:30
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Saturday 5th July 2008
Private Function
30 St Mary Axe (the "Gerkin"), London

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quintetzambra — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 04:42:52 CST

Made up of current senior students of The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow and the Royal Academy of Music in London, Quintet Zambra is a dynamic group of young, motivated and innovative musicians whose aim is to bring more unusual as well as familiar repertoire for Wind Quintet to audiences across Scotland and the UK.

Quintet Zambra were recently awarded the prestigious Mary D Adams prize for Chamber Music from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and they have consequently gained a lot of fresh interest from various audiences and composers. By using different combinations from within the quintet and collaborating with other instrumentalists on occasion, they enjoy further broadening their repertoire and are enthusiastic to perform for you!

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quintetzambra — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 12:13:53 CST

Contact Us

quintetzambra — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 07:04:12 CST

Please feel free to contact us at any time with any questions or comments.

E-mail address: quintetzambra@googlemail.com

Mobile No.: 07793240857 (Fraser Gordon, on behalf of Quintet Zambra)

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