The Ntombi Quartet (oboe and strings) is a Manchester-based quartet, founded by four Royal Northern College of Music graduates.

As experienced orchestral and chamber musicians they have performed at weddings and events nationwide, and have played at concerts as far afield as Japan. Venues the quartet have recently played at include Manchester Town Hall, The Midland Hotel, The Hilton Hotel and various locations in Cheshire including Bramhall Hall, Shrigley Hall, Peckforton Castle, Mottram Hall and Arley Hall.

Recent Clients include Toyota, Sapporo Restaurant, Fab!, Eventures, Entertainment Today.

"Thank you SO much for all of your hard work for the wedding. You were all brilliant and everybody commented on how fantastic you were." Sarah - Fab! Event Management

The Players

• Elizabeth Blanckenberg (oboe) was born in South Africa and started studying the oboe at age fourteen. After obtaining the BMus(Hons) degree cum laude from Stellenbosch University in 2003, she continued her postgraduate studies at the RNCM, graduating in 2004. She has played with various orchestras, including the Cape Philharmonic, KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic, Namibian National Orchestra and Kirishima International Music Festival Orchestra in Japan.
• Noriko Tsuzaki (violin) started playing the violin at the age of three. She attended the Junior Department at the RCM, whilst attending King Edward's School as a music scholar. In 2003, Noriko received her MusB(Hons) from the University of Manchester and continued her studies at the RNCM, on the PGDip and MPhil courses. She completed her studies in 2006, and now works as a freelance orchestral musician as well as running Special Virtuosi, an organisation that teaches music to people with special needs.
• Carmen Craven Grew (viola) started playing the violin when she was four. She gained a place at the Yehudi Menuhin School of Music when she was eight and studied there for ten years. At 18 she continued her studies at the RNCM on an ABRSM Scholarship, where she gained her BMus and PGdip. Whilst there she played in numerous quartets and ensembles and also won the Cecil Arnovitz viola competition and the Granada Prize.
• Melinda Gourlay (cello) was born in Perth, Australia and began studying cello at the age of 10. She recently graduated from the RNCM with a BMus(Hons), where she studied with Alice Neary and Karine Georgian. Whilst studying she received coaching from eminent chamber groups such as the Endellion String Quartet, Sorrel Quartet and Gould Piano Trio. In 2006 she was awarded a place on the BBC Philharmonic Professional Access Scheme and performed with the orchestra. Most recently she led the RNCM Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Vassily Sinaisky in Bridgewater Hall.

"I just want to thank the quartet for your excellent performance. You sounded fantastic during the service and drinks reception and the Registrar - who I would imagine has seen quite a few strings commented on your performance and versatility. You were also very professional - turning up early and being well presented." Andrea - Fabulous Day Wedding Planning

Ntombi Quartet's web profile was last updated 25th Jul 2009