John’s biography

John began studying the violin in Southampton in 1990 and in 1996 he gained a place at the Hamshire Specialist Music Course and joined the National Youth Orchestra.  Two years later John gained a place at the Royal College of Music where he studied as a scholar under professor Rodney Friend, one of the great orchestral leaders, for five years.  He also participated in master-classes with Hugh Bean CBE, Ida Haendel and Zvi Zeitlin.  He became a ‘Making Music’ (National Federation of Music Societies) recommended artist in 2003-2004.

John is well known as a chamber musician and is the leader of the highly acclaimed Tippett Quartet, performing, and broadcasting widely across the UK and worldwide.  He has recorded extensively with the quartet for EMI, Naxos, Signum, Classic FM, Dutton and Guild record labels.

John is the co-leader of the English Chamber Orchestra and is in demand as an orchestral leader, including a trial with the Bournmouth Symphony Orchestra and guest work with the London Mozart Players, Rambert Dance Company and others.

John is gaining a fine reputation as a soloist, performing and broadcasting the major violin concerti across the UK and abroad, including the Liszt Hall in Hungary and concerts in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, New Zealand.  He has also appeared as soloist with the English Chamber Orchestra and will be appearing with them next year in a performance of the Bach Double violin concerto.

John Plays on a 1735 Januarius Gagliano violin.