VAUGHAN WILLIAMS ENSEMBLE
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Monday 2 March 2026Doors: 6pm
Concert: 6.30pm Duration: 1hr 45min (incl. interval) Tickets: £30 Adults, £25 Concessions (U18, full-time students). Tickets include a complimentary drink |
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Join the Vaughan Williams Ensemble for their debut concert at the 1901 Arts Club featuring an evening of music by Ralph Vaughan Williams, Judith Weir and Franz Schubert.
ProgrammeRalph Vaughan Williams
C minor Piano Quintet Judith Weir A Song of Departure - Interval - Franz Schubert ‘Trout’ Piano Quintet |
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Lucilla Rose Mariotti |
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Violinist Lucilla Rose Mariotti Banwell, born in 2001, is a renowned soloist praised for her captivating presence and rich, warm tone. In 2025, she performed for Their Majesties, King Charles III and The Queen Consort at Highgrove House during an event organised by the Italian Embassy in the UK. In 2024, she made her Australian tour debut with Vivaldi Gala Night – Journey to Italy, performing as a soloist at Winthrop Hall in Perth, the Queensland Performing Arts Centre in Brisbane, and the Sydney Opera House.
Winner of numerous international competitions, Lucilla received the First Prize and the Audience Prize at the Violins & Soul Music Competition during the 2023 Amadeus Festival in Vienna, and was granted a two-year loan of a prestigious 1709 Stradivari violin from the Goh Family Collection. With this instrument, she recorded her debut album Lumière du Temps for Orchid Classics together with pianist Alessio Enea, with whom she won the Giovanni Guglielmo Award as a duo in 2025. In the same year, she was awarded third prize at the Bogotá International Violin Competition, performing with the Bogotá Philharmonic Orchestra in the finals. Additionally, in 2023, she received the Daniele Gay Award, established by violinist Francesca Dego. She is a Peace and Prosperity Trust’s Emerging Artist.
From an early age, Lucilla has performed as a soloist with leading orchestras worldwide. In 2023, she represented Italy at the European Festival of Soloists in Venezuela, appearing with the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra under Maestro Rodolfo Saglimbeni in an event organized by the European Union Delegation in Venezuela and El Sistema. That same year, she performed with the RCM Chamber Orchestra in a live-streamed masterclass led by Maxim Vengerov, and later joined him to perform Sarasate’s Navarra at his 40-year career celebration with the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall. Lucilla has appeared at major venues including Wigmore Hall, the Royal Albert Hall, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Teatro La Fenice, and Teatro alla Scala, and has performed across Europe, Australia, and South America.
A passionate interpreter of the chamber repertoire, she has taken part in major international festivals and received scholarships to attend IMS Prussia Cove in Cornwall and the Keshet Eilon Mastercourse in Altea, Spain. She is also a founding member of the Vaughan Williams Ensemble. Her performances have been broadcast by Vatican Radio, Czech Radio, Venice Classic Radio, and Radio 3 on Primo Movimento. She has appeared live on BBC Radio 3’s In Tune and has also been featured as a Next Generation Artist on RAI Radio 3 .
She completed both a Master of Performance and an Artist Diploma at the Royal College of Music in London with Itzhak Rashkovsky where she was a Carne Junior Fellow and recipient of the Anne & Brian Wadsworth Scholarship, Help Musicians, the Albert Cooper Music Charitable Trust, and a 2023 Boise Scholarship. She has also pursued advanced studies in the Solo Class at the Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover with Krzysztof Wegrzyn supported by the Förderkreis der HMTMH.
Lucilla currently performs on a Giovanni Grancino Milan from 1690, on loan from Deutsche Stiftung Musikleben.
Winner of numerous international competitions, Lucilla received the First Prize and the Audience Prize at the Violins & Soul Music Competition during the 2023 Amadeus Festival in Vienna, and was granted a two-year loan of a prestigious 1709 Stradivari violin from the Goh Family Collection. With this instrument, she recorded her debut album Lumière du Temps for Orchid Classics together with pianist Alessio Enea, with whom she won the Giovanni Guglielmo Award as a duo in 2025. In the same year, she was awarded third prize at the Bogotá International Violin Competition, performing with the Bogotá Philharmonic Orchestra in the finals. Additionally, in 2023, she received the Daniele Gay Award, established by violinist Francesca Dego. She is a Peace and Prosperity Trust’s Emerging Artist.
From an early age, Lucilla has performed as a soloist with leading orchestras worldwide. In 2023, she represented Italy at the European Festival of Soloists in Venezuela, appearing with the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra under Maestro Rodolfo Saglimbeni in an event organized by the European Union Delegation in Venezuela and El Sistema. That same year, she performed with the RCM Chamber Orchestra in a live-streamed masterclass led by Maxim Vengerov, and later joined him to perform Sarasate’s Navarra at his 40-year career celebration with the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall. Lucilla has appeared at major venues including Wigmore Hall, the Royal Albert Hall, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Teatro La Fenice, and Teatro alla Scala, and has performed across Europe, Australia, and South America.
A passionate interpreter of the chamber repertoire, she has taken part in major international festivals and received scholarships to attend IMS Prussia Cove in Cornwall and the Keshet Eilon Mastercourse in Altea, Spain. She is also a founding member of the Vaughan Williams Ensemble. Her performances have been broadcast by Vatican Radio, Czech Radio, Venice Classic Radio, and Radio 3 on Primo Movimento. She has appeared live on BBC Radio 3’s In Tune and has also been featured as a Next Generation Artist on RAI Radio 3 .
She completed both a Master of Performance and an Artist Diploma at the Royal College of Music in London with Itzhak Rashkovsky where she was a Carne Junior Fellow and recipient of the Anne & Brian Wadsworth Scholarship, Help Musicians, the Albert Cooper Music Charitable Trust, and a 2023 Boise Scholarship. She has also pursued advanced studies in the Solo Class at the Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover with Krzysztof Wegrzyn supported by the Förderkreis der HMTMH.
Lucilla currently performs on a Giovanni Grancino Milan from 1690, on loan from Deutsche Stiftung Musikleben.
Jaren Ziegler |
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Named a Classic FM 2025 Rising Star, Jaren Ziegler won the BBC Young Musician Strings Final in 2022 aged 16, becoming the first violist in the competition’s history to do so. In the Grand Final, he performed Walton’s Viola Concerto with the BBC Philharmonic conducted by Mark Wigglesworth. This led to concerto performances with the London Mozart Players, Northern Chamber Orchestra, Royal Orchestral Society, Stamford Chamber Orchestra, Purcell School Orchestra, Schubert Ensemble, Bishop Stortford Sinfonia, Albion Orchestra, Opera North Youth Orchestra, Bristol Symphony Orchestra, Oxford Chamber Orchestra and the London International Concert Orchestra as well as recitals including Cheltenham Festival, Bath Festival, Lammermuir Festival, Oxford Coffee Concerts and St Georges Bristol.
Upcoming concert highlights include YCAT’s 40th Anniversary at Aldeburgh Festival, Berlioz’s Harold en Italie at the Last Night of the Proms at St Judes, and Vaughan William’s Piano Quintet at Wigmore Hall.
In 2023, Jaren participated in the Verbier Festival Academy Soloist Programme and the Kronberg Academy Festival Masterclasses, where he was chosen by Tabea Zimmermann to perform in the ‘Entdeckungen-Konzert’. He is a member of the international string ensemble, LGT Young Soloists and has performed at Wigmore Hall, Brahms-Saal Musikverein, Victoria Hall Singapore, Royal Festival Hall and Philharmonie Luxembourg. Jaren has been honoured to work with artists including Sini Simonen, Elena Urioste, Ben Goldscheider, Ryan Wigglesworth, Trio Concept and the Heath Quartet.
Recent competition first prizes include the Peter Morrison Concerto Competition at the Junior Royal College of Music and Bromsgrove Young Musicians’ Platform. Jaren was also the youngest participant in the 2021 Cecil Aronowitz International Viola Competition.
Jaren came to the Junior Royal Academy of Music at the age of 8 where he studied with Jacky Woods for 10 years.
He is currently a first year student at the Royal Academy of Music studying with Hélène Clément. He has participated in numerous masterclasses including with Tabea Zimmermann, Timothy Ridout, Antoine Tamestit, Nobuko Imai and Lawrence Power.
Jaren is grateful to YCAT for their generous support in their aftercare scheme for BBC Young Musician finalists. He plays a Stefano Scarampella viola, kindly loaned to him by the Beare’s International Violin Society.
Upcoming concert highlights include YCAT’s 40th Anniversary at Aldeburgh Festival, Berlioz’s Harold en Italie at the Last Night of the Proms at St Judes, and Vaughan William’s Piano Quintet at Wigmore Hall.
In 2023, Jaren participated in the Verbier Festival Academy Soloist Programme and the Kronberg Academy Festival Masterclasses, where he was chosen by Tabea Zimmermann to perform in the ‘Entdeckungen-Konzert’. He is a member of the international string ensemble, LGT Young Soloists and has performed at Wigmore Hall, Brahms-Saal Musikverein, Victoria Hall Singapore, Royal Festival Hall and Philharmonie Luxembourg. Jaren has been honoured to work with artists including Sini Simonen, Elena Urioste, Ben Goldscheider, Ryan Wigglesworth, Trio Concept and the Heath Quartet.
Recent competition first prizes include the Peter Morrison Concerto Competition at the Junior Royal College of Music and Bromsgrove Young Musicians’ Platform. Jaren was also the youngest participant in the 2021 Cecil Aronowitz International Viola Competition.
Jaren came to the Junior Royal Academy of Music at the age of 8 where he studied with Jacky Woods for 10 years.
He is currently a first year student at the Royal Academy of Music studying with Hélène Clément. He has participated in numerous masterclasses including with Tabea Zimmermann, Timothy Ridout, Antoine Tamestit, Nobuko Imai and Lawrence Power.
Jaren is grateful to YCAT for their generous support in their aftercare scheme for BBC Young Musician finalists. He plays a Stefano Scarampella viola, kindly loaned to him by the Beare’s International Violin Society.
Riya Hamie
Brighton-born cellist Riya Hamie (b.2005) is a full scholarship student at the Royal Academy of Music as the recipient of the Sir Elton John Award, studying with John Myerscough. Riya studied with Michał Kaznowski at the Royal College of Music Junior Department from 2018 – 2023. She won numerous prizes there, including the Barbara Boissard Junior Concerto Competition, Marjorie Humby Memorial Competition and the prestigious Peter Morrison Concerto Competition – resulting in a performance of Dvorak’s Cello Concerto with the RCMJD Symphony Orchestra in March 2022 to standing ovation. Following this, she was awarded a recital at the Royal Albert Hall’s Elgar Room in February 2023, performing to a sold out audience.
A prizewinner of many competitions across the UK, she most recently was awarded first place and the Coro Nuovo bursary at the Sussex Young Musician of the Year Competition 2024. Past concerto performances include Haydn’s Cello Concerto No.1 with the Mid Sussex Sinfonia, Dvorak Concerto with the Trinity Harrow Orchestra, movements from the Elgar Concerto with the Orchestra of St John’s, Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No.1 with the Sussex Symphony Orchestra, and the Brahms Double Concerto with the Central London
Orchestra.
A passionate orchestral musician, Riya was selected as one of eight London Philharmonic Orchestra junior artists for 2020/21 and became a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain in 2021. She was then offered the seat of co-principal for 2021/22 and was principal cellist in the NYO’s January 2022 concert at the Barbican (later broadcast on BBC Radio 3). Most recently, she was selected to participate in the Royal Opera House’s Overture orchestral mentoring scheme for 2023/24, where she was mentored by principal cellist Hetty Snell and worked under Sir Antonio Pappano and Koen Kessels. Riya was also principal cellist of both the RCMJD Symphony and Chamber Orchestras, and has led the cello section in two RAM projects this year.
An avid contemporary performer, she gave the world premiere of Constantin Raff’s Monologue for Cello in London this year. In October
2024, Riya will make her debut as part of the Academy Manson Ensemble, performing a completely contemporary programme which will
include the world premiere of Substrata by Andrea Balency-Béarn and the UK premiere of Abracadabra (Suncatchers) for 11 virtuosi by
Augusta Read Thomas in the prestigious Duke’s Hall.
Riya has performed in prestigious venues all across the UK, most notably the Royal Albert Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Royal Festival Hall,
Leeds Town Hall, Wigmore Hall, St John’s Smith Square and the Barbican. She has had masterclasses with many acclaimed musicians such as Steven Isserlis, Natalie Klein, Colin Carr, Hannah Roberts, Alexander Baillie, Christoph Richter, Raphael Wallfisch, Adrian Brendel, Melissa Phelps, Joely Koos, and Rebecca Gilliver.
Riya plays on a George Panormo cello – on loan from the Benslow Music Instrument Loan Scheme since January 2020 – which was kindly
donated by the late Walter Cheney. She is grateful for the support of the Westdene Fund and The Pebble Trust, who awarded her a Talent Grant in January 2022.
A prizewinner of many competitions across the UK, she most recently was awarded first place and the Coro Nuovo bursary at the Sussex Young Musician of the Year Competition 2024. Past concerto performances include Haydn’s Cello Concerto No.1 with the Mid Sussex Sinfonia, Dvorak Concerto with the Trinity Harrow Orchestra, movements from the Elgar Concerto with the Orchestra of St John’s, Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No.1 with the Sussex Symphony Orchestra, and the Brahms Double Concerto with the Central London
Orchestra.
A passionate orchestral musician, Riya was selected as one of eight London Philharmonic Orchestra junior artists for 2020/21 and became a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain in 2021. She was then offered the seat of co-principal for 2021/22 and was principal cellist in the NYO’s January 2022 concert at the Barbican (later broadcast on BBC Radio 3). Most recently, she was selected to participate in the Royal Opera House’s Overture orchestral mentoring scheme for 2023/24, where she was mentored by principal cellist Hetty Snell and worked under Sir Antonio Pappano and Koen Kessels. Riya was also principal cellist of both the RCMJD Symphony and Chamber Orchestras, and has led the cello section in two RAM projects this year.
An avid contemporary performer, she gave the world premiere of Constantin Raff’s Monologue for Cello in London this year. In October
2024, Riya will make her debut as part of the Academy Manson Ensemble, performing a completely contemporary programme which will
include the world premiere of Substrata by Andrea Balency-Béarn and the UK premiere of Abracadabra (Suncatchers) for 11 virtuosi by
Augusta Read Thomas in the prestigious Duke’s Hall.
Riya has performed in prestigious venues all across the UK, most notably the Royal Albert Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Royal Festival Hall,
Leeds Town Hall, Wigmore Hall, St John’s Smith Square and the Barbican. She has had masterclasses with many acclaimed musicians such as Steven Isserlis, Natalie Klein, Colin Carr, Hannah Roberts, Alexander Baillie, Christoph Richter, Raphael Wallfisch, Adrian Brendel, Melissa Phelps, Joely Koos, and Rebecca Gilliver.
Riya plays on a George Panormo cello – on loan from the Benslow Music Instrument Loan Scheme since January 2020 – which was kindly
donated by the late Walter Cheney. She is grateful for the support of the Westdene Fund and The Pebble Trust, who awarded her a Talent Grant in January 2022.
Levi Andreassen |
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Praised for his "astounding virtuosity", American double bassist Levi Andreassen is a sought-after soloist and chamber musician, driven by his desire to push the limits of his instrument. Recent and upcoming highlights include concerto performances with the London Mozart Players and Missouri Philharmonic Orchestra and solo performances at the Wigmore Hall, North Norfolk Music Festival and Kirker Music Festival in Madeira. Chamber music appearances include performances with the Kaleidoscope Chamber Collective, Sacconi Quartet, Fibonacci Quartet, Carducci Quartet, Marryat Players, Kleio Quartet and the Vaughan Williams Ensemble of which Levi is a founding member.
Levi has been featured on Orchid Classics’ album Around the World in 80 Minutes in duo with bassist Nathan Perry, as well as an album consisting of Robert Simpson’s chamber music works on Toccata Classics. His artistry has been recognised by His Serene Highness Dr Donatus, Prince of Hohenzollern, who remarked "This old, original idea of the double bass as a large violin - Bassgeige - became truly audible. I had never heard a singing double bass!".
A laureate of numerous international competitions, Levi was recently awarded 1st Prize at the 2025 Haslemere International String Competition as well as 1st Prize at the 2023 International Society of Bassists Youth Solo Competition, 2023 London Classical Music Competition and the 2022 Caneres International Competition. Additionally, Levi was a winner of the Charles R. Hall Competition in 2018, where he had the opportunity to perform Bottesini’s Concerto No.2 with the Missouri Philharmonic Orchestra, an ensemble with whom he now regularly collaborates.
As an orchestral musician, Levi became a member of the Missouri Philharmonic Orchestra in 2017 and held the Principal Bass position from 2021-2025. Additionally, Levi has worked closely with conductors such as Vasily Petrenko, the late Sir Andrew Davis, Sakari Oramo, Chloe van Soeterstede, and Jac van Steen in renowned venues such as the Royal Albert Hall for the BBC Proms in 2024, Royal Festival Hall and Cadogan Hall in London, as well as the Stadtpalais Liechtenstein in Vienna.
Levi is currently completing his Bachelor of Music with Caroline Emery at the Royal College of Music in London as a Neville Wathan Full Scholar.
Levi has been featured on Orchid Classics’ album Around the World in 80 Minutes in duo with bassist Nathan Perry, as well as an album consisting of Robert Simpson’s chamber music works on Toccata Classics. His artistry has been recognised by His Serene Highness Dr Donatus, Prince of Hohenzollern, who remarked "This old, original idea of the double bass as a large violin - Bassgeige - became truly audible. I had never heard a singing double bass!".
A laureate of numerous international competitions, Levi was recently awarded 1st Prize at the 2025 Haslemere International String Competition as well as 1st Prize at the 2023 International Society of Bassists Youth Solo Competition, 2023 London Classical Music Competition and the 2022 Caneres International Competition. Additionally, Levi was a winner of the Charles R. Hall Competition in 2018, where he had the opportunity to perform Bottesini’s Concerto No.2 with the Missouri Philharmonic Orchestra, an ensemble with whom he now regularly collaborates.
As an orchestral musician, Levi became a member of the Missouri Philharmonic Orchestra in 2017 and held the Principal Bass position from 2021-2025. Additionally, Levi has worked closely with conductors such as Vasily Petrenko, the late Sir Andrew Davis, Sakari Oramo, Chloe van Soeterstede, and Jac van Steen in renowned venues such as the Royal Albert Hall for the BBC Proms in 2024, Royal Festival Hall and Cadogan Hall in London, as well as the Stadtpalais Liechtenstein in Vienna.
Levi is currently completing his Bachelor of Music with Caroline Emery at the Royal College of Music in London as a Neville Wathan Full Scholar.
Thomas Luke |
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Thomas Luke came to national attention after winning the keyboard category of BBC Young Musician 2020. Driven by a desire for discovery and authentic human connection, he moves freely between traditional concert repertoire, his own compositions, and expansive multi-piano arrangements. His performances have featured on national radio and television, and have taken him to stages worldwide, including London’s Wigmore Hall, Leipzig’s Weißes Haus, the Xiamen International Conference Centre Concert Hall and the Van Cliburn Concert Hall in Fort Worth.
Hailed as a “trailblazer” by Steinway & Sons, Thomas made history by performing the inaugural Steinway SpirioCast between two UK institutions. He was recently awarded the Prix Monti at the 2025 Piano Campus International Competition and has been recognised by the Vienna International Music Competition for his "outstanding talent, a remarkable musicality and a very accomplished technique". In June 2024, he was selected as one of just 24 Young Artists globally to attend the PianoTexas International Festival, and has participated in lessons and masterclasses with Lang Lang, Arie Vardi and Stephen Kovacevich.
In 2024, he launched Many Pianos - a series of bold, layered arrangements for four or more pianos, blending digital and acoustic elements. His first video, a cover of Jacob Collier’s Little Blue, was recognised by Collier himself and has since reached thousands of listeners online. Thomas’ next major release, an album of original music, is due in early 2026.
Born on the Isle of Wight, Thomas’ musical spark was lit in the room under his grandparents’ stairs, playing keyboard games on the organ with his grandfather. He began piano lessons with Judith Harvey aged four, continuing studies with Eleanor Hodgkinson at the Junior Royal Academy of Music. He now studies with Vanessa Latarche at the Royal College of Music as the Margaret Mount Scholar, receiving further mentorship from Alim Beisembayev.
Hailed as a “trailblazer” by Steinway & Sons, Thomas made history by performing the inaugural Steinway SpirioCast between two UK institutions. He was recently awarded the Prix Monti at the 2025 Piano Campus International Competition and has been recognised by the Vienna International Music Competition for his "outstanding talent, a remarkable musicality and a very accomplished technique". In June 2024, he was selected as one of just 24 Young Artists globally to attend the PianoTexas International Festival, and has participated in lessons and masterclasses with Lang Lang, Arie Vardi and Stephen Kovacevich.
In 2024, he launched Many Pianos - a series of bold, layered arrangements for four or more pianos, blending digital and acoustic elements. His first video, a cover of Jacob Collier’s Little Blue, was recognised by Collier himself and has since reached thousands of listeners online. Thomas’ next major release, an album of original music, is due in early 2026.
Born on the Isle of Wight, Thomas’ musical spark was lit in the room under his grandparents’ stairs, playing keyboard games on the organ with his grandfather. He began piano lessons with Judith Harvey aged four, continuing studies with Eleanor Hodgkinson at the Junior Royal Academy of Music. He now studies with Vanessa Latarche at the Royal College of Music as the Margaret Mount Scholar, receiving further mentorship from Alim Beisembayev.