The Lark Piano Trio (pianist Anna Michels, violinist Emma Baird, and cellist Helen LaGrand) formed during their postgraduate studies at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Since their formation, the trio have taken part in masterclasses with the Fidelio Trio, Joseph Swensen, David Dolan, David Watkin, and Anto Pett. The trio won the prestigious Governor’s Chamber Prize which resulted in engagements in venues across Scotland. They were selected to participate in the Wye Valley Chamber Music Festival 2023 and accepted as an ensemble of ChamberStudio’s Hans Keller Forum 2023/24. They won the Mary D Adams Prize for Chamber Music, and were awarded 2nd prize at the Dunbar Gerber Chamber Music Competition at the RCS.

They have a passion for unearthing the hidden treasures of the piano trio repertoire, with a focus on living composers and female composers. They have found immense joy in the practice of both free and classical improvisation, and thoroughly enjoy connecting with audiences in this unique way. Their improvised performances include a Lecture Recital with David Doland in March ‘23 and a collaboration with dancers as part of the Piano Festival at RCS, March ‘23.

The trio are advocates for educational programmes internationally. Anna Michels is an Assistant Faculty of Keyboard at St. Mary’s Music School in Edinburgh, Helen is an organiser and teacher for a non-profit educational program for Nigerian musicians, and Emma is an Ambassador for the Benedetti Foundation through which she has led multiple workshops. The trio were eager to join the Live Music Now Scotland team, in order to expand the type of work that they do and connect with audiences that may not often be exposed to classical trio repertoire.

Donald Grant is a violinist, fiddle player, collaborator and composer based in Glasgow, Scotland. At an early age he was immersed in the folk tradition of the Highlands of Scotland, learning Gaelic songs from his father who was a singer and teacher. He has since followed a path that defies one musical genre, travelling the globe collaborating with many artists and organisations.

He founded the Elias String Quartet in 1998. As one of Europe’s leading Chamber ensembles they have toured extensively, regularly playing in concert halls including Carnegie Hall (New York), Recital Centre (Melbourne), Wigmore Hall (London), Southbank Centre (London), Musikverein (Vienna), Concertgebouw (Amsterdam) Konserthaus (Berlin) and Suntory Hall (Tokyo). They also have an extensive and acclaimed recording catalogue including the Complete Beethoven Quartets for the Wigmore Hall’s “Live” label.

Donald is Artistic Director of ChamberStudio and Deputy Head of Chamber Music at the Royal Northern College of Music.

A passionate advocate for the music of his native home, Donald’s recent solo performances include the Wigmore Hall, Southwell Festival, Cucagnan Festival, RNCM Festival and the Weesp Festival. He writes and arranges music for himself and for others and can heard on his solo album “The Way Home”. In 2024 he looks forward to new collaborations and commissions from the Aurora Orchestra, Manchester Collective and Manchester Camerata.