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.

Margot Rusmanis
Margot Rusmanis (violin) studied at Trinity College of Music with Bela Katona and Dennis East, and was a member of the BBC Radio Orchestra for 10 years. She then freelanced in the classical and light music world including leading the String section of the original Come Dancing Orchestra! She teaches privately in Beaconsfield Bucks, and coaches at the Chiltern Music Academy as well as running music theory classes and coaching string chamber music in the school holidays.

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.

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.