Mariette Richter, violin, came from South Africa to study with Emanuel Hurwitz at the Royal Academy of Music where she awarded the Black Fellowship for Outstanding Musicianship. She has performed widely as an orchestral and solo violinist and leads many ensembles including the Oxford Symphony Orchestra and Oxford Sinfonia. Mariette is Head of Strings at Abingdon School.

Judith Ellis, violin, studied at the Royal Academy of Music with Rosemary Rapaport and Lionel Bentley and later at the University of London. She enjoys a busy schedule of teaching, playing and examining.

Vanessa Murby, viola, studied at the Royal College of Music with Marjorie Major and was rewarded the Tagore Gold Medal. She has performed at private functions for the royal family, recorded for film, television and radio and has worked with many orchestras including the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Bournemouth Sinfonietta and Orchestra of The Swan. Vanessa divides her time between performing, teaching and caring for her little son.

Valerie Findlay, cello, studied Modern Languages at the University of Glasgow and cello with Adrian Shepherd. Before moving to Oxfordshire she played in the Scottish National Orchestra and chamber ensembles in France. She is now much in demand as a performer and teacher.

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