KATHERINE BIRTLES
B i o g r a p h y
In September 2014 Katherine completed a Masters degree in Music Performance with Distinction at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music, studying with Anna Noakes. She studied as a TCL scholar, and was generously supported by the Leverhulme Trust and the Harpenden Music Foundation.
During her studies at Wells Cathedral School as a specialist musician, Katherine held a position in the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain. Katherine completed her Bachelor of Music degree at Birmingham Conservatoire with a First Class Honours during which time she won an ERASMUS scholarship to study in Italy in her third year. She was also finalist of the Micklam Prize, the Ambache Prize, the TH/SH Prize (2011 & '12) and the Woodwind Prize.
In the first year of her Masters course Katherine won a placement with the coveted Mentor Scheme with the BBC Concert Orchestra, coached by Ileana Ruhemann, Principal Flute. Katherine has performed with the EC4 Orchestra, the London Shostakovich Orchestra, Haydn Chamber Orchestra, Lambeth Symphony Orchestra, University of London Symphony Orchestra and Vacation Chamber Orchestra. She was also a founding member of the Westgate Wind Quintet which won the June Emerson Wind 2013 Launchpad Prize and lead to several concerts around London.
Katherine was involved in several high profile events, including the inaugural concert at the Cutty Sark featured on the BBC News and as a solo performer in the Prokofiev Festival. Other highlights include the performance of three concertos for the Soloist’s Competition and the Croydon Concerto Competition, and performing as a finalist of the Harold Clarke woodwind competition. Katherine has been able to play in masterclasses for William Bennet, Robert Winn, Karen Jones, Robert Manasse, Kate Hill, Wissam Boustany and Paul Edmund-Davies amongst others.
In her final year of study Katherine was the 2014 winner of the All Flutes Plus scholarship to the Oxford Flute Summer School. She was also announced as one of the Selected Artists in Making Music's Awards for Young Concert Artist's scheme 2014, which has led to educational workshops and recitals around the country and is looking forward to playing in the Swaledale Festival in Yorkshire in June.
Since completing her degree, Katherine freelances as a soloist and enjoys teaching, also leading the City of Peterborough Youth Ensemble. Katherine also performs with Soraya Vermeulen as part of Fantasia Flute and Harp Duo, who give recitals and perform for weddings and events.
