About Us

Violinist Michael was born in Bangor North Wales. Having professional musicians for parents made it almost inevitable that he and his brother Gareth would follow in their footsteps.
Learning the violin at the age of 7 and changing to the viola when he was 13, the experience he gained with The National Youth Orchestra of Wales gave him the inspiration and experience to follow an orchestral career.
He studied the viola at the Royal Manchester College and developed a love for chamber music under the tuition of Alexandre Moskowsky (second violinist in the renowned Hungarian Quartet).
In 1972 Michael joined The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, later to become sub-principal viola. While in Liverpool, and in spite of the heavy workload of the orchestra, Michael was a founder member of the Liverpool String Quartet—an ensemble which gave highly acclaimed recitals throughout the north of England. Michael’s freelancing work in Liverpool included backing for artists including Shirley Bassey, Jack Jones, Russ Abbott and Les Dawson .
Michael’s passion for chamber music led him to Leeds where he joined the staff of The City of Leeds College of Music as a viola and violin tutor and also as a member of the College’s resident string quartet, the Leodian.
The quartet was a regular visitor to Northern Ireland where they coached the Belfast School of Music chamber music courses. In addition to his teaching duties and quartet work he was also an active soloist. He was principal viola of the English Camerata and freelanced with The English Northern Philharmonia, opera north, Orchestra of the Mill, Northern Sinfonia, and The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.
In 1992 Michael and his family left Yorkshire for the Orkney island of Sanday where they spent 14 very happy years. Although the island is very small, with a population of just over 500, Michael and Helen generated and promoted a huge interest in music in the community,
Forming the Sanday Fiddle Club—a string ensemble of their 30 or so pupils they gave regular concerts and appeared on radio and television, notably in collaboration with fellow island resident and Master of the Queen’s Music, Sir Peter Maxwell Davies who wrote much music for the Sanday Fiddle Club. Michael also appeared regularly at the St Magnus Festival as member of the Orkney Ensemble and at the Orkney Traditional Music Festival with the folk group Fitakaleerie.
Just before their departure from Sanday Michael and Helen achieved one of their ambitions—training both an orchestra and choir of island residents to give (together with international soloist Penelope Chalmers (soprano) and John Hayward (Tenor)) two truly memorable performances of Handel’s Messiah.

Helen (violin and piano accordion) was born in Sheffield and began playing the violin at the age of 8. Several years later she changed to the viola, continuing her studies at the City of Leeds College of Music before becoming a freelance musician and instrumental teacher. Her performing experiences include concerts with Ron Goodwin, Sir Charles Groves as well as chamber music engagements.
While living in Orkney, Helen worked for the local authority as instructor of stringed instruments teaching violin, viola and cello. With husband Michael, she formed the Sanday Fiddle Club, a community string music group with members ranging from as young as 3 to their grand parents .
Sanday fiddle club performed regularly both classical and traditional music featuring in both the Orkney Traditional Music Festival and the St Magnus Festival.
Helen and Michael, together with Claire and Tony (Helen’s sister and brother-in-law) formed the folk band Fiterkaleerie (an old orcadian word meaning “A dance performed in a sitting posture with ale-cog in hand”) which featured on BBC’s “Time Team” programme and recorded several tunes in addition to performing at local concerts and dances.
Helen won a British Education Communications and Technology Award for her work in the introduction of art and music leading to the publication of several articles including Creative responses to music, Creating an animated movie, Early years becta award and the presentation of a series of lectures at national educational conferences and work with both HMI Scotland and Learning and Teaching Scotland.

Twins Megan and Carys began their musical training at the age of 3 on the violin before Megan changed to viola and Carys changed to cello.
Both girls have gained lots of experience through their performances with the Sanday fiddle club, appearing with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, members of the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and the BT Ensemble as part of the St Magnus festival.
They’ve played with the National Children’s Orchestra of Scotland, appeared on both British and French TV and taken part in recording sessions with the Sanday Fiddle Club.
As part of the traditional Scottish folk ceilidh band Fitakaleerie, they’ve performed widely for traditional Scottish dances and ceilidhs.
In France, Megan and Carys have been members of the Limoges Conservatoire Orchestra and the Limoges based Enigma Ensemble.