Now in its third season, ChamberStudio’s Hans Keller Forum (HKF) provides in-depth mentorship for carefully selected chamber ensembles from UK conservatoires. It runs as a set of three day residential courses held at West Road Concert Hall and Care College.
The ensembles for the 2024/25 forum are:
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The members of the Seion Quartet are violinists Joe MacDonald and Sally Aiko Dando, violist Joe Berry and cellist Carys Underwood, students at the Royal College of Music.
Throughout their time together they’ve been fortunate to have received coaching from world renowned quartets such as the Maggini, Sacconi, and Brodsky Quartets and coaches Rafael Todes, Simon Rowland-Jones and Mats Zetterqvist.
Their name ‘Seion’ ties in with Joe MacDonald and Sally’s Japanese heritage, translated to mean ‘tone of voice’ or ‘serenity’.
They formed in early 2023 and some of their highlights include: regular engagements with the Broadstone and RCM Music Series, side by side projects with the Brodsky Quartet and playing for their Majesties The Emperor and Empress of Japan, Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the State Banquet held at Buckingham Palace in June. In the Summer term of 2024 they also won the RCM String Quartet Competition.
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Named for their roots on both sides of the Atlantic, Trio Thalassa is a dynamic ensemble comprising British violinist Juri Uchishiba, American cellist Aria Posner, and American pianist Andrew Zhao.
Their recent accolades include the Historical Women Composers Prize at the Royal Academy of Music, and they were highly commended, receiving third, in the Academy’s Harold Craxton Prize.
The trio made their recital debut at the 2024 RAM Summer Piano Festival, performing Rebecca Clarke’s Piano Trio and Beethoven’s Piano Trio op. 1 no. 1.
They work regularly with artists such as James Sleigh, Robert Cohen, Diana Ketler and Adrian Brendel.
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The Heartwood Quartet formed in 2020 at the RNCM. They have worked closely with members of the Chilingirian, Wihan, Elias, Endellion, and Talich Quartets.
They were the resident quartet at the Lake District Summer Music Festival, and have participated in numerous concert series around Manchester, including Didsbury Coffee Concerts and Buxton Pavillion.
They have received tuition as part of the ECMA, and have been selected for the Hans Keller Forum.
They have recently appeared at the LDF, the Yorke Trust, Dvorak Society, and the Enys Festival.
They are also passionate about community, engaging in outreach sessions in schools. -
They will be mentored by Alasdair Beatson, John Myerscough and Donald Grant, with David Waterman joining in January 2025.