Duo Cello > Biographies

Pippa Rans graduated with Distinction in the Postgraduate Diploma in Performance from Trinity College of Music in 2005, where she was a scholar studying with Lowri Blake and Joely Koos. She was principal cellist of the Symphony and Chamber Orchestras and won many prizes including the Classical Concerto and the Solo Bach Competition. Pippa gained her undergraduate degree at the University of Birmingham where she was invited to perform the Saint-Saëns Cello Concerto with the University Sinfonia.

Pippa is a freelance orchestral cellist and performs regularly with orchestras such as the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland (including recent trial), Southbank Sinfonia, and the BBC Concert Orchestra (mentor scheme).

Pippa has travelled the world with the Sonas Quartet on the Saga Cruise Ships. She has performed at the Wigmore Hall and future solo engagements include a performance of Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Variations with St Paul’s Sinfonia in April 2008.

pipparans.com

Ruth Beedham studied at Trinity College of Music with Alison Wells and Natasha Pavlutskya. Whilst at Trinity Ruth won the Leonard Smith Prize for string duo and also gained a scholarship to continue her studies with Natasha on the postgraduate diploma course. Ruth now studies with Naomi Butterworth.

Ruth performs regularly as a chamber musician and has recently performed Mendelsohn’s Octet with Krysia Osostowicz in aid of children traumatised by the war in the former Yugoslavia. Ruth has been guest soloist with Wandsworth Symphony Orchestra, and will soon be performing Tchaikovsky’s Pezzo Capriccioso with St Paul’s Sinfonia in April 2008.

Ruth also has several teaching posts including cello teacher and chamber music coach at City of London School for Boys. In her spare time, Ruth enjoys running and in 2006 she ran the London Marathon. Ruth hopes to run it again some time soon and preferably faster!