Our Orchestra

English National Ballet Philharmonic is made up of many of the country’s top musicians, and boasts considerable experience in all forms of music-making.

Since Dame Alicia Markova and Anton Dolin founded what is now English National Ballet in 1950, the Company has always been committed to achieving the highest musical as well as dancing standards.

From the very beginning, English National Ballet Philharmonic has played an important part in creating the magic which is a vital part of every live performance.

Notable events have included galas at both the London Coliseum and Royal Opera House, accompanying visiting ballet companies, appearances in concert (including the Bath and City of London Festivals) and, most recently, providing the music for the Royal Academy of Dance’s children’s ballet syllabus grades.

English National Ballet Philharmonic also play a significant part in the Engagement Department’s school visits and workshops, taking a taste of the music of ballet to tomorrow’s audience.

English National Ballet Philharmonic plays each of Tchaikovsky’s notes with tenderness and every crescendo with a soul-stirring thrill. I felt as if I had never heard this music before.

Sunday Express on Swan Lake in-the-round

Music Director

Principal Guest Conductors

Guest Conductors

Martin West

Dominic Grier

Judith Yan

Alec Frank-Gemmill

Kingsley Lin

Violin 1

Matthew Scrivener

Orchestra Leader

Rachel Allen

Co-Leader

Emil Chakalov

Anne Martin

Ruth Knell

Kirsty MacLeod

Fiona Chesterman

Joana Ly

Violin 2

Alain Petitclerc

Section Leader

Susan Croot

Charlotte Howes

Victoria Barnes

Stephen Dinwoodie

Viola

Alexandros Koustas

Section Leader

David Danford

Arun Menon

Elizabeth Sharpe

Cello

Lars Payne

Music Librarian

Garry Stevens

Section Leader

Martin Thomas

Ann Lines

Double Bass

Jeremy Gordon

Section Leader

Catherine Ricketts

Flute

Ian Mullin

Section Leader

Flute II / Piccolo

Helen Keen

Oboe

Jennifer Brittlebank

Clarinet

Derek Hannigan

Section Leader

Paul Allen

Bassoon

John McDougall

Section Leader

Howard Legge

French Horn

Richard Dilley

Section Leader

Alexandra Carr

Duncan Fuller

Trumpet

Alex Cromwell

Section Leader

Trombone

Andrew Connington

Section Leader

Ruth Molins

Bass Trombone

Leslie Storey

Section Leader

Tuba

Martin Knowles

Section Leader

Harp

Isobel Frayling-Cork

Section Leader

Timpani

Kate Eyre

Section Leader

Percussion

Austin Beattie

Section Leader

Kevin Nutty