Sarah McKenna & Helen Godbolt

Sarah McKenna
Sarah studied the violin with Howard Davis, Winifred Roberts and Lesley Hatfield before studying music at Exeter University where she led the University Orchestra. She completed her musical studies with a postgraduate performance course at the Royal Academy of Music winning the coveted John B McEwan prize (awarded to the best string quartet of the year) and coming second place in the Theodore Holland and Max Gilbert prizes.

Her solo performances include Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis at Exeter and Truro Cathedrals and Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante. Although normally performing as part of a string quartet her chamber music experience also includes performances as a string trio and a series of violin and piano recitals in and around London.

Sarah’s commitments include performances with the Regent Quartet and Reflection Strings together with freelance orchestral work and teaching. She continues to receive coaching from Peter Thomas, former leader of CBSO.

Helen Godbolt
Helen Godbolt started playing the cello at the age of 8 and went on to gain a music degree at Manchester University (studying cello with Bernard Gregor-Smith from the Lindsay quartet), and a post-graduate diploma on ‘cello at the Royal Academy of Music, London. Here she formed the Regent Quartet with Sarah McKenna, Caryn Cohen and Suzanne Casey and performed with them for over fifteen years.

Professional work has been with a range of ensembles, including the City of London Sinfonia, The English Festival Orchestra, Longborough Opera, and Kanye West at the Brit Awards. Recent solo performances include Kodály Sonata in Tring and in Shamley Green, Surrey, and the Kodály violin and ‘cello duo with Sarah McKenna. Based in Tring, she works as a freelance professional player, performing with orchestras and chamber ensembles nationwide as well as teaching a broad range of students.