GREGORY SHEPPARD
VIOLA

Born in London in 1972, Gregory began studying singing and piano at the age of seven, and the following year was awarded a scholarship to the Purcell School.

After winning the Britten-Piers Scholarship for singing, he performed as a soloist in the Barbican, The Royal Festival Hall and the Albert Hall. He has made many B.B.C. recordings under Ronald Corp & has performed solo with the Royal Shakespeare Company, English National Opera, and Abbey Opera.

Gregory studied conducting with Peter Stark and George Hurst at Canford and made his debut at the age of seventeen with the Vivace String Orchestra. In 1992 he entered the Royal Academy of Music, studying the Viola with John White and Martin Outram.

Gregory has performed in masterclasses with the world renowned Bruno Giurrana and Rivka Golani. Since leaving the Royal Academy of Music he has been guest principal violist with the London Chamber Group, Co-principal of the London New Sinfonia Orchestra & guest principal with the New London Orchestra.

Gregory has given recitals across the U.K. and has toured Europe with various chamber ensembles. He is the violist of the Amati Trio and plays a Dom. Nicolo Amati viola built in 1730.

GRAHAM WAUGH BENNETT
PIANO

Graham was born in Edinburgh in 1973 and began playing the piano at the age of nine. Within two years he was awarded a scholarship to the Yehudi Menuhin School where he had specialist tuition with Louis Kentner and Vlado Perlemuter.

In 1987 he was awarded the Winifred Sellars Bursary and the Ida Carroll Award for Merit from the Royal Northern College Of Music where he studied with Renna Kellaway and John Wilson.

In 1990 Graham made his concerto debut in the Lounge Hall in Harrogate, performing Beethoven’s 1st piano concerto and in the same year gave his debut recital at Castle Howard. He has also performed several times on Television.

Graham was awarded the Associated Board Entrance Scholarship to the Royal Academy Of Music to study with Hamish Milne where he won first prize in the Christian Carpenter piano competition.

He has performed in masterclasses with Joseph Seiger, Martin Roscoe, Peter Donohoe as part of the Harrogate International Music Festival, and with members of the Amadeus and Alberni Quartets.

He has given solo recitals in the South of France and throughout the U.K.