Who We Are : Profiles

Founders

• Liz Ford – Viola

  

  Originally from Kingston Upon Hull, Liz received her initial musical training with her parents. At the age of four she began studying the violin with Mary Goodman before embarking on advanced viola tuition under Paul Mountain. Whilst reading Music at the University of Edinburgh - where she graduated with Honours in 2002 having been the Academic Scholar for her year - she performed with all of the major choirs and orchestras, and it was here that her interest in Arts Management developed. Liz began her career working for the Edinburgh International Festival. Following several years working in Events Management, gaining valuable experience in the sector and growing her network of contacts within the industry, Liz now works as Administrator and Finance Co-ordinator for Edinburgh Napier University and is also studying for a Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education Professional Practice through the Open University. Liz maintains her prolific musical activities as freelance string player, orchestral fixer and concerts manager; she is also a regular member of the Calton Consort and the Robin Chapel choir. Co-founder of the Rose Street Quartet, Liz lives in Portobello, Edinburgh. 

• Pete Harvey – Cello

  

  Born in North Yorkshire, Pete was, for a long time, the only member of his family permitted to play for the county’s reputed cricket team. Having shown no aptitude for sport - or cricket - he began playing the cello and the piano at the age of eight, ultimately studying music at Edinburgh University, whence he graduated in 2003 with honours. Pete is one third of the raucous Edinburgh-based noise machine The Leg, whose latest critically acclaimed album An Eagle to Saturn is out now on Song, by Toad Records. He's done lots of session work in lots of studios, but is now mostly to be found in his own - Pumpkinfield - at his home near Perth. As a copyist, Pete has produced orchestral scores and instrumental parts for numerous large scale works for many leading groups across Europe and the US, and has worked closely with composers of international renown. He is also a prolific arranger, and is responsible for the majority of RSQ's diverse library of repertoire. His fingers frequently find their way into numerous other pies such as poster design, cider making and even the occasional bit of writing - not to mention actual pies. Pete is co–founder of the Rose Street Quartet.

Violin

• Robert Dick – Violin

  

  Robert Dick has enjoyed fruitful association with RSQ going back to 2000, having got to know Liz and Pete through the Edinburgh freelance music scene. Born in Edinburgh in 1975, Robert studied violin and piano at the Royal College of Music in London with Madeleine Mitchell and Yonty Solomon. Here, Robert also developed his conducting skills and went on to pursue training in this field in Vienna, Salzburg and Munich. Robert has enjoyed a varied career as violinist, violist and keyboardist and has played for groups as diverse as the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and the Katharine Jenkins Tour Orchestra. Engagements with the RSQ have taken him to all corners of Scotland and have seen him dress up in 18th Century costume at Scone Palace and playing for prestigious functions at the Scottish Parliament and Holyrood Palace. Robert is currently busy as conductor of the Orchestra of the Canongait and Dundee Symphony Orchestra, the latter with whom he will shortly be presenting the UK premiere of a new work by Sir Peter Maxwell Davies. He is also looking forward to travelling to Germany in July to conduct a concert with the Blutenburg Kammerphilharmonie. Away from music, Robert enjoys spending time with his two young daughters as well as playing tennis and snooker.

• Jackie Norrie – Violin

  

  Aberdeen born and bred, Jackie studied violin with Kenneth Piper at the Royal College of Music. She freelanced widely in London before joining the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Subsequently she has worked in many milieux, including several orchestras nationally and internationally, chamber groups and jazz/folk collaborations. Since returning to Scotland, she works primarily for the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and the Orchestra of the Scottish Ballet. Her violin in by Helen Michetschlager.

• Kate Miguda – Violin

  

  Kate Miguda grew up in Edinburgh before studying with Richard Ireland and Maciej Rakowski at the Royal Northern College of Music, where she gained her Bachelor of Music degree and a Postgraduate Diploma in performance. Whilst there, she also took part in masterclasses with Lorand Fenyves and Leland Chen. As a freelance violinist she has played with the Halle, RLPO and Opera North amongst other orchestras. She is currently studying part time towards a Masters in Musicology at Edinburgh University.

• Simon Graham – Violin

  

  Born in Aberdeen, Simon studied with the late Nigel Murray at St Mary's Music school winning several prizes including the John Doig prize for String Playing. Following this he studied at the Royal Northern College of Music with Richard Ireland, gaining his Bmus (Hons) and Post-graduate Diploma in Performance. As a student Simon led and co-led the Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra and New Music Ensembles and was awarded the Waddell Memorial Prize for Strings. As a soloist and chamber musician he has participated in masterclasses with artists including Mauricio Fuks, Lorand Fenyves, Atis Bankas, Emmanuel Hurwitz, Hugh Maguire and David Finckel. Following the conclusion of his formal studies, Simon has been busy working as a teacher, soloist, chamber, orchestral and session musician including leading the Clonter Opera Orchestra based in Cheshire and appearing and recording with diverse artists such as Richard Hawley, Jon Thorne, Kate Rusby and more recently with Edinburgh based bands The Leg and Meursault. After several years of post-college freelancing, Simon moved to Mexico to take up the position of Principal Second Violin with the Orquesta Sinfonica Sinaloa de las Artes, also leading the Orchestra's String Quartet, coaching young students both locally and in the city of Guadalajara and performing as a guest musician at the Northern Lights Music Festival in Ajijic, Mexico. Since returning to the UK Simon has focused heavily on building his teaching experience, and is now busily combining coaching Strings at several Independent schools and as much fun and rewarding playing as possible.

Viola

• Liz Ford – Viola

  

  Originally from Kingston Upon Hull, Liz received her initial musical training with her parents. At the age of four she began studying the violin with Mary Goodman before embarking on advanced viola tuition under Paul Mountain. Whilst reading Music at the University of Edinburgh - where she graduated with Honours in 2002 having been the Academic Scholar for her year - she performed with all of the major choirs and orchestras, and it was here that her interest in Arts Management developed. Liz began her career working for the Edinburgh International Festival. Following several years working in Events Management, gaining valuable experience in the sector and growing her network of contacts within the industry, Liz now works as Administrator and Finance Co-ordinator for Edinburgh Napier University and is also studying for a Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education Professional Practice through the Open University. Liz maintains her prolific musical activities as freelance string player, orchestral fixer and concerts manager; she is also a regular member of the Calton Consort and the Robin Chapel choir. Co-founder of the Rose Street Quartet, Liz lives in Portobello, Edinburgh. 

• Alison Lucas – Viola

  

  Alison Lucas started learning the viola at Towerbank Primary School in Edinburgh and went on to study at Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow and Napier College in Edinburgh. She is currently working towards an MMus with the Open University. Alison has taught and freelanced for all sorts of groups – classical, folk, pop – and has an interesting time playing for the Edinburgh Contemporary Music Ensemble... When not playing the viola she works as a GPS mapper of golf courses for Calton Hill Golf www.caltonhillgolf.com

Cello

• Pete Harvey – Cello

  

  Born in North Yorkshire, Pete was, for a long time, the only member of his family permitted to play for the county’s reputed cricket team. Having shown no aptitude for sport - or cricket - he began playing the cello and the piano at the age of eight, ultimately studying music at Edinburgh University, whence he graduated in 2003 with honours. Pete is one third of the raucous Edinburgh-based noise machine The Leg, whose latest critically acclaimed album An Eagle to Saturn is out now on Song, by Toad Records. He's done lots of session work in lots of studios, but is now mostly to be found in his own - Pumpkinfield - at his home near Perth. As a copyist, Pete has produced orchestral scores and instrumental parts for numerous large scale works for many leading groups across Europe and the US, and has worked closely with composers of international renown. He is also a prolific arranger, and is responsible for the majority of RSQ's diverse library of repertoire. His fingers frequently find their way into numerous other pies such as poster design, cider making and even the occasional bit of writing - not to mention actual pies. Pete is co–founder of the Rose Street Quartet.

• Harriet Davidson – Cello

  

  Harriet Davidson grew up in Edinburgh and began her cello studies at the Junior Department of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.  She moved south to study Modern History at St Hilda's College, Oxford before going on to postgraduate instrumental studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama under Raphael Wallfisch and Louise Hopkins.   

  Harriet returned to Scotland in 2005, where she now enjoys a busy and diverse freelance career.  Recent projects include work with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, with whom she has toured in India and Europe;  performances of chamber music with her trio, 'Trio Ecossaise';  participation in 'Inspiring Change', an innovative education project  at HMP Shotts; concerts for the 'Music in Hospitals' scheme; and performing in her underwear for cabaret divas 'Meow Meow' and 'Le Gateau Chocolat' at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.  Harriet has recorded for BBC Radio and Television, the Kodaly Institute and Island Records and has performed at the Mercury Music Awards and the Glastonbury Festival.  In addition to her performing commitments, Harriet teaches cello at various schools, including the specialist City of Edinburgh Music School.  

Singers

• Caroline Hood – Soprano

  

  Caroline was born in Edinburgh and began her singing career in the Junior Choir of the Waverley Singers. Subsequent highlights include performances with the Glasgow University Madrigirls and Edinburgh-based ensembles Sospiro Baroque, the Quodlibet Chorale and Cantica Alba, as well as membership of Edinburgh's renowned chamber choir the Calton Consort and the choir of St Giles' Cathedral. Also a keen actress, her stage debut at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe came at the age of 11, leading to a six year tenure with the Realistic Theatre Company of Edinburgh and later on to successful appearances with Edinburgh Music Theatre, Moving Lights Theatre and Arkle Theatre Company. Caroline joined touring musical theatre company Green Room in presenting the Scottish Premiere of Adam Gwon's musical "Ordinary Days" in the role of Claire in June 2012. She continues to sing with various groups in Edinburgh, and has performed with the Rose Street Ensemble under the direction of Jason Orringe (James Macmillan's "Seven Last Words from the Cross" with the Calton Consort) and James Lowe (RSE's new edition of Kenneth Leighton's Veris Gratia) as well as with the Rose Street Quartet, allowing her to combine her two favourite pastimes of singing and attending weddings.

Other Musicians

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