ELSPETH MACKAY  (Cello)» 

Biography
Elspeth Mackay was born in Glasgow in 1986 and began playing the cello at the age of seven, before entering the Junior Academy of the RSAMD in 1999, where she studied with Patricia Hair and Betsy Taylor. During her time at the Junior Academy, Elspeth was awarded the Nan Christie Memorial Prize for Strings. In 2003, Elspeth moved to London to study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, with Stefan Popov and, currently, Pierre Doumenge. In 2006, she was invited with her trio to perform in a series of chamber music concerts in Tarragona, Spain. She has also recently been invited to give solo recitals in Glasgow Cathedral and the Ramshorn Theatre in Glasgow. Elspeth completed her studies at the Guildhall School earlier this year with a BMus (hons) degree. She has recently been appointed to the position of cello instructor with Kent Music and continues to study privately with Pierre Doumenge.

Orchestral Work
Orchestras: Amadeus Orchestra, Watford Philharmonic.

Elspeth's orchestral work also includes GSMD Symphony Orchestra and the GSMD String Ensemble, working with musicians such as George Benjamin, Stephanie Gonley & Sian Edwards, and peforming at major UK venues including LSO St Lukes and the Barbican.

As a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland (2003 - 2004), Elspeth worked with conductors Martin Brabbins & James Loughran performing at the BBC Proms; Konzerthaus, Berlin; Schleswig Holstein Music Festival (Kiel); Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and Symphony Hall, Birmingham.

Elspeth co-founded and manages a new string ensemble called Scottish Connection, and is a busy chamber musician and soloist. She has given recitals at the Ramshorn Theatre (Strathclyde University), Glasgow Cathedral and St Paul's Church, Covent Garden.

As part of the 2006 Aberdeen International Youth Festival, Elspeth performed in a production of Britten's The Turn of the Screw.

Education
Elspeth's schooling took place at Boclair Academy, Bearsden, Glasgow (1997 - 2002), Langside College, Glasgow (2002 - 2003) and Royal Scottish Junior Academy of Music (1999 - 2003). Elspeth's graduate studies took place at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama (2003 - 2007).

Prizes and Awards

• RSAMD, Junior Academy - Winner of the Nan Christie Memorial Prize for Strings, 2003. (Previously commended, 2001, and highly commended, 2002.)

Teachers: Stefan Popov, Pierre Doumenge.

Elspeth joined Morgensterns in November 2007

Elspeth's web profile was last updated 22nd Nov 2008

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