Friern Ensemble

The Friern Ensemble are made up of leading orchestral players. Nigel Blomiley and friends.

Paul Willey
Paul Willey (violin) studied at the Royal Academy of Music and won scholarships to complete his studies in Freiburg, Indiana and Sienna. He was Associate Leader of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra before being appointed Leader of the Ulster Orchestra and subsequently Leader of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. He now freelances, and appears regularly as guest leader of the English Chamber Orchestra, the Philharmonia, the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and other orchestras. He has performed as concerto soloist with various leading orchestras, and has played on BBC radio both as recitalist and as concerto soloist.

Joan Atherton
Joan Atherton was born into a musical family and studied at the Royal College of Music with Felix Kok, where she was awarded a number of major prizes, including the prestigious Tagore Gold Medal. She graduated with distinction and a Vaughan Williams Trust scholarship enabled her to further her studies with Manoug Parikian.

Ian Byrne Brito
Ian Bryne Brito (viola) was born in the UK but brought up in Spain. He graduated from The Hague Royal Conservatory and completed a masters at the Royal Academy of Music. Since then, Ian has developed a successful international performing career and has won several prestigious awards and scholarships. He continues to perform and teach alongside his role as Manager and Viola Specialist with Stringers in London.

Natasha Michael
Natasha Michael studied the viola at the Royal College of Music where she was the recipient of the viola and string quartet prizes. She has enjoyed a varied freelance career as an orchestral musician having played principal viola under the baton of Petrenko, Haitink, Norrington and Jurowski. As a soloist and chamber musician, she has performed at the Wigmore and Cadogan Halls as part of the RCM’s ‘Rising Star’ concert series. Natasha is currently Director of Music at Chesham Grammar School.’

Nigel Blomiley
Nigel Blomiley is one of the most distinguished principal cellists in the country. Pierre Fournier, with whom he studied, described his playing as ‘very musical’ and ‘creating a marvellous atmosphere’. Bernard Greenhouse described him as ‘a damn fine cellist’. Largely self-taught, Nigel did not begin any musical training until he was fourteen, six years later he was playing professionally and soon established himself as a principal player in the BBC Northern Symphony Orchestra.