B i o g r a p h y

 

 

 

 

 

Samantha is a classical violinist with additional specialisms in folk and traditional music. From 2012 she has worked as a theatre musician and is versatile and adaptable across a multitude of genres. She performs extensively as a chamber, orchestral and theatre musician and is also in demand as a session player, featuring on many recordings and soundtracks. 

 

Samantha studied at Birmingham Conservatoire with head violin tutor Nathaniel Vallois and gained a BMus (hons) and MMus. Whilst gaining considerable experience as a solo, orchestral and chamber musician, Samantha continued to explore her passion for traditional folk music.

Samantha has worked regularly for the Royal Shakespeare Company since 2012 for numerous shows in Stratford-upon-Avon and London, as well as several nationwide and world tours. She has also performed in productions at Shakespeare's Globe, Liverpool Everyman Theatre and Leeds Playhouse. She has frequently appeared onstage often doubling on other instruments such as Stroh-violin and Welsh Harp.

 

Several shows Samantha has performed in have been broadcast around the world live in cinemas, and subsequently released on DVD. Composers she has worked with also include Grant Olding, Michael Bruce, Adem Ilham and Isobel Waller-Bridge, and her playing is featured on several RSC CD recordings of both contemporary and archive material.

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As a busy freelance musician, Samanthe regularly plays with the International Film Orchestra who specialise in cross-genre performances and orchestral film screening concerts, and similarly with the Limelight Orchestra in their orchestral/pop concerts. She has recently been working with Norfolk-based composer Dr Susie Self in concerts in Ely Cathedral premiering her new choral/chamber orchestral works.

 

Samantha is a member of Norfolk-based world music quartet Fiasco!, who are described as "deliciously delightful" and pride themselves on their genre-defying, eclectic performances. They have enjoyed several sell-out performances at Sheringham Little Theatre and many other venues along the beautiful Norfolk coast. You can find out more about Fiasco! from the links above. 

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Samantha is a member of Scratchy Beard, a Stratford-upon-Avon band playing a mix of gypsy jazz, folk and roots music. They have played at Cheltenham Jazz Festival, Art in the Park Leamington, Camper Calling, Stratford Literary Festival and the beautiful ALSO Festival in Compton Verney. In addition to this they enjoy a substantial rural touring programme with Live and Local, and have recorded a studio album and a live album. You can find out more about Scratchy Beard from the links above.

 

Samantha was a founder member of the Old Dance School (subsequently known as the Fair Rain) with whom she performed until 2015. With them she toured the UK and Europe, recorded three studio albums and one live album, and performed at all the UK's major folk festivals. The band were featured many times on BBC Radio 2's folk shows and also on RTE and Swedish national radio. Renowned for their dynamic and virtuosic live performances, the band explored contemporary folk music and utilised its members' classical and jazz backgrounds, creating a truly unique and formidable sound. Notable performances include Glastonbury Festival, Birmingham Town Hall, Celtic Connections, Shrewsbury and Purbeck Folk Festivals, Nordsjøfestivalen and Isle de Tatihou Festival. 

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Samantha is a founder member of the Keum String Trio and performs regularly at chamber music engagements across the UK. She is also a busy freelance orchestral and session musician and a regular player with various ceilidh bands and other folk and traditional ensembles. She is a busy solo performer at weddings - please see the Wedding section of this site for more information.

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