Dylan Edge, raised in Staffordshire, started the violin aged 9 through Staffordshire Performing Arts. He went on to study under the tutelage of Catherine Yates at the Junior department of the Royal Northern College of Music. He furthered his studies at the RNCM, graduating with a First-Class Honours degree and a Masters with Distinction under the mentorship of Cecily Ward.
Whilst completing his masters studies, Dylan successfully trialed for the Hallé and became a member of the first violin section. As an orchestral musician, Dylan regularly freelances with the BBC Philharmonic, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and Manchester Camerata. He also plays with Manchester Collective and enjoyed joining them on their Weather and Fever Dreams Tours.
During his studies, Dylan won the Norman George Violin Scholarship and was highly commended in the RNCM Concerto Competition, leading to a performance of Glazunov’s Violin Concerto with the Stockport Symphony Orchestra. He has held principal positions in the RNCM Opera Orchestra, RNCM Chamber Orchestra and co-lead the RNCMxHalle Side by Side Project. In 2022, Dylan organised an afternoon of classical music at the Whitworth Art Gallery, championing queer composers as part of the (Un)Defining Queer exhibit at the gallery. Dylan plays on a 1778 George Gemünder Violin. Asides from music, he enjoys trying out new cake recipes and teaching Nathan how to play scrabble.
Photo: Ravi Nathwani
Orla McGarrity is an Irish violinist based in Manchester where she graduated from the RNCM with a First-Class Honours Degree, studying with James Clark. She is currently pursuing a Masters under the tutelage of Cecily Ward and Pavel Fisher, also at the RNCM and has performed in masterclasses for Arabella Steinbacher, Nathaniel Vallois and Vera Vaidman. Recent highlights include performing works inspired by climate change at the Wigmore Hall with the RNCM Sinfonietta and playing with Northern Ireland Opera in their Autumn production of Eugene Onegin. In 24/25 Orla is one of the Hard Rain Soloist Ensemble's Young Artists, receiving coaching on and performing contemporary repertoire.
Orla's love for curating chamber events led her to working as the Programming Assistant at the RNCM in 2022/23 and co-directing Enys Chamber Music Festival in Cornwall. She also enjoyed interning at Weesp Chamber Music Festival in the Netherlands and working as an ad hoc chamber music tutor at RNCM's Junior Department. Orla recently set up the Mourne Chamber Music Festival in Newcastle County Down which she plans to continue for years to come.
She plays on a 1595 Antonio and Heironymous Amati violin generously loaned to her by the RNCM and is grateful to be supported by the William and Frances Dobie Charitable Foundation. When not playing violin, Orla can be found evicting slugs from her allotment or reading a good book.
Photo: Ravi Nathwani
Rebecca is a violist from West Yorkshire. She completed her Master’s degree at the Royal Northern College of Music, where she studied with Vicci Wardman, Alex Mitchell and Susie Mészáros. Here she was awarded the RNCM Viola Prize and in 2022 became the Junior Fellow in Viola.
Rebecca regularly freelances with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Manchester Camerata and the BBC Philharmonic. She teaches upper strings and is a workshop coordinator at the North of England Centre for Music and Arts. Rebecca plays on a Niccolò viola by Chris Tayler. In her spare time, Rebecca enjoys kickboxing and playing Dungeons and Dragons!
Nathan is currently studying for a masters in cello performance with Jen Langridge and Eddie Pogossian at the RNCM, where he graduated recently with a First-Class Honours degree. He has completed the BBC Philharmonic Professional Experience Scheme and the Hallé's String Leadership Scheme, leading to regular work within both orchestras. With a keen interest in chamber music, Nathan has been fortunate to perform in the Hallé's annual chamber music series alongside members of the cello section.
Nathan is also a keen performer of baroque music, which he enjoys studying with Jonathan Manson and Roger Hamilton on a period instrument. He currently plays a Robin Aitchson Cello generously loaned to him by the RNCM. Outside of Music Nathan loves a long bike ride, beating Dylan at scrabble and plane spotting.
Photo: Ravi Nathwani
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