“The greatest little orchestra in the UK played a massive programme of beautiful music. The Elgar was indescribably sweet, the Tchaikovsky 3rd movement pulled out your heart and rang out every drop of blood and this was just the warm-up for what was to come. An unforgettable evening. Thomas Carroll is a fabulous conductor, like a sculptor he brings out the hidden depths from his musicians and his music.” 5/5 Elizabeth, Audience Member

Artistic Director of Orpheus Sinfonia, Thomas Carroll enjoys a distinguished and varied career as a cellist and, since his conducting debut in the Berlin Philharmonie in 2006, has enjoyed conducting orchestras such as The Northern Sinfonia, VIVA and the Brighton Philharmonic, as well as many abroad. As a concerto soloist, he has performed with orchestras including the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic, the London Philharmonic, Philharmonia and BBC National Orchestra of Wales, and with orchestras abroad including the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Vienna Chamber and the Bayerische Rundfunk. He has held positions of Professor of Cello at the Royal College of Music and Menuhin School, and in 2018 he was appointed Professor of Cello at the Hochschule of Music in Cologne.

"The musical accompaniment from the Orpheus Sinfonia was splendid and I enjoyed them better than the Philharmonia. They played with rhythmic lilt and irrepressible zeal for their excellent conductor, Oliver Gooch." Seen and Heard International, Jim Pritchard – review of Die Fledermaus

Oliver Gooch is Principal Guest Conductor of Orpheus Sinfonia. As Associate Conductor (JPYAP) at the Royal Opera House, in a position created for him by Antonio Pappano, he was nominated for a Helpmann Award and went on to debut with the Queensland Symphony, Orchestra of the Antipodes, and Tasmanian Symphony. He made his debut in Italy with AsLiCo and Orchestra I Pomeriggi Musicali (Die Zauberflöte / Teatro Ponchielli) and his US debut with the American premiere of Šarka for Dicapo Opera Theater. As Founding Artistic Director of Opera East, he premiered Tarik O’Regan’s Heart of Darkness in the Linbury Theatre, nominated for a Sky Arts South Bank Award. He studied under Ozawa at Tanglewood and was an assistant to Sir Colin Davis (LSO) and Sir Charles Mackerras (Glyndebourne). He currently holds the role of Artistic Director for IF Opera and in 2018 he was appointed Director of the Blyth Centre for Music and Visual Arts.

“the strings warm, glowing and wonderfully blended, reminding us of just what skilled players can achieve in a generous acoustic.” Richard Laing, The Wagner Journal – review of Parsifal

Eleanor is winner of the Royal Overseas League Competition 2020 and in 2022 was awarded Associate of the Royal Academy of Music. She has recently been guest leader of Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Ulster Orchestra, Trondheim Symfoniorkester, Stavanger Symfoniorkester and Norrlandsoperan, and guest co-leader for Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra. She has been Orchestral Mentor for the Royal Academy of Music, tutoring the 1st violins and string principals, and she is leader of Buxton International Festival Orchestra. Solo appearances include Oslo Chamber Music Festival, St-Martin-in-the-Fields, Royal Albert Hall Elgar Room, and BBC Radio 3 and Sky Arts broadcasts, the latter as concerto soloist in Schnittke’s Concerto Grosso no. 3, recorded at Abbey Road Studios. Eleanor is passionate about Historically Informed Performance, and has performed across Europe with Orchestre Revolutionnaire et Romantique, and with her prizewinning period instrument quartet, Pocket Sinfonia, which has been broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and WDR 3.

Christian started learning the violin with his mother Lucy when he was 5 years old. He continued his studies with Dona Lee Croft at both the RCM Junior Department and later as an undergraduate of the Royal College of Music, where he won several prizes (including the concerto award for his performance of The Lark Ascending). Since graduating in 1999, Christian has enjoyed a busy and varied career as a freelance violinist, working with ensembles such as London Mozart Players, Royal Northern Sinfonia and Orpheus Sinfonia. Christian was a founder member of the Southbank Sinfonia in 2002-3. He also leads Surrey Opera, Westminster Philharmonic Orchestra and Royal Orchestral Society. Christian has been 1st violin with the Abraxas Ensemble since 2000.

Principal Viola of Orpheus Sinfonia, alongside this Dan Shilladay has worked with, among others, the Hanover Band (with whom he is principal viola), the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Britten Sinfonia and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. A keen chamber musician, he is a founder member of the Berkeley Ensemble, a flexible group of winds and strings specialising in twentieth and twenty-first century British music.

Rebecca is Principal cello of Orpheus Sinfonia and a busy freelance orchestral musician. In addition to this she enjoys a vibrant career as a soloist and chamber musician, performing across Europe, Asia, and the USA at major venues including Wigmore Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Hong Kong Cultural Center. A passionate advocate for contemporary music, she has commissioned, premiered, and recorded numerous new works, and tours internationally with the acclaimed Svyati Duo, with whom she has released two critically acclaimed albums on Regent Records.

Frances is Principal Double Bass of Orpheus Sinfonia. She is also a highly accomplished freelance performer and educator, whose musical journey began at the remarkable age of five. Born into a deeply musical family, Frances was inspired early on by her mother, Caroline Emery, a pioneer in the development of the mini bass—a revolutionary approach that made learning the double bass accessible to young children. Building on this unique foundation, Frances has gone on to develop a vibrant career. Most recently, she returned from the European tour of The Phantom of the Opera, performing with distinction as part of the show’s acclaimed orchestral ensemble. Frances’ versatility and musical sensitivity have made her a sought-after performer across a wide range of genres, from classical and contemporary works to musical theatre. In addition to performing, Frances is a dedicated and passionate educator. She currently teaches double bass at five institutions, including the prestigious Royal College of Music, where she strives to inspire the next generation of musicians through her depth of knowledge, warmth and hands-on experience.

“Sensuous playing from the Orpheus Sinfonia. Harp, alto flute, cor anglais and bass clarinet are defining instruments in this chamber work, and each shone.” Fiona Maddocks, The Guardian – review of Rape of Lucretia

Pasha is Principal Flute of Orpheus Sinfonia. He is also a regular session flautist to be heard on soundtracks including Matrix, Deadpool & Wolverine, Stranger Things, Alien, as well as being the featured solo flute on Thom Yorke’s Suspiria and The Last Dinner Party’s Prelude to Ecstasy. Pasha regularly performs with leading orchestras, tours with major artists, and is also Principal Flute of the London Contemporary Orchestra. He also holds the position of visiting teacher of flute at Wellington College. 

“The sound was clear and bright, with each instrument given space to shine with particularly notable contributions from Adam Stockbridge (trumpet) and Alasdair Hill (oboe).” Keith McDonnell, MusicOMH – review of Parsifal

Principal Oboe of Orpheus Sinfonia, Alasdair studied at the Royal Northern College of Music and the Royal College of Music, London, graduating in July 2013 with Distinction. Since then, Alasdair has enjoyed a varied and busy freelance career. He has had trials for the position of Second Oboe with the BBC Philharmonic and Hong Kong Philharmonic, alongside freelancing with many orchestras in the UK and Ireland including; the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Royal Northern Sinfonia, The Royal Ballet Sinfonia and RTE Concert Orchestra, amongst others. Alongside his orchestral work, Alasdair is regularly employed for recording sessions ranging from library and orchestral sessions to pop tracks. In recent years, he has also been a chair holder for UK tours of Les Miserables, The King and I and Miss Saigon, as well as playing in many West End shows. Alongside Alasdair’s busy freelance career, he is the Oboe tutor at Wimbledon High School for Girls and Lochinver House School.

“The extended clarinet solo in Act II’s Scene II stood out for its expressiveness”, Sam Smith Music OMH – review of Bellini Capuletti e Montecchi

“clarinettist Rosemary Taylor added a smooth suavity”, Claire Seymor, Opera Today – review of Orpheus in the Underworld

Rosemary read music at Cambridge University followed by a Masters at the Royal Academy of Music, receiving many accolades, including the Renfrew Prize for Music and first prize in the Nancy Nutall Early Music Competition. Now pursuing a busy freelance career, Rosemary is a versatile clarinetist, performing on both modern and historical instruments. She is the Principal Clarinet of Orpheus Sinfonia, appearing with them as soloist in Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto in 2025. She has performed nationally and internationally with leading ensembles such as Manchester Camerata, English Consort, and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. Her playing can also be heard in recording sessions at Abbey Road and Air Lyndhurst for film and television scores. A keen chamber musician, she is a founder member of the Phantasy Trio and established the Orpheus Principals in 2015. Beyond her performance career, Rosemary’s desire to 'make things happen' has led her to her current executive roles. She is Chief Executive for Orpheus Sinfonia, as well as Associate Director of Windsor Festival International String Competition and a consultant fundraiser. She also holds the position of visiting teacher of clarinet at Cranleigh School.

Ashley is Principal Bassoon of Orpheus Sinfonia. In addition, he is a busy London-based freelancer, performing frequently throughout the UK and abroad. Ashley is a founding member of the Atéa Wind Quintet, who were double prize winners at the 2015 Carl Nielsen International Chamber Music Competition. The group is also Ensemble in Residence at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Ashley’s recording work has seen him appear on numerous film and television soundtracks with a variety of orchestras.

“fabulous playing by Tom Bettley on the horn” 5/5 Charles, Audience Member – review of Mozart Horn Quartet

“first horn (Tom Bettley) summoning Fafner with great flair and golden tone.” Roy Westbrooke, Bachtrack – review of Siegfried

Tom is Principal Horn of Orpheus Sinfonia, as well as being a freelance musician based in Dartford, Kent, working across the UK and the wider world. Tom’s playing work includes Guest Principal with orchestras such as the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, London Mozart Players and Amman Chamber Orchestra (Jordan). He has performed in the West End and on tour with shows such as Les Miserables, Lion King, Miss Saigon and Mary Poppins. Commercially, Tom has recorded for many films, tv series and radio programmes, as well as various popular bands and artists including Bring Me the Horizon, Alter Bridge and Architects. As an educator, Tom is highly regarded through the South-East and the wider UK. He was Teacher of Brass and Director of Brass Ensembles at King’s School, Rochester from 2012 to 2024. Tom now teaches for Dartford Grammar Girls School and is a regular Horn Tutor for Kent Youth Wind Orchestra, Kent Music Summer School at Benenden and the Kent County Youth Orchestra. Tom is also an arranger and composer of music, with many of his commissioned arrangements being recorded for broadcast and streaming, including those from Orpheus Sinfonia.

“The sound was clear and bright, with each instrument given space to shine with particularly notable contributions from Adam Stockbridge (trumpet) and Alasdair Hill (oboe).” Keith McDonnell, MusicOMH – review of Parsifal

Adam is from Skipton, North Yorkshire and was a pupil at Chetham’s School of Music before studying in London at the Royal College of Music, graduating with a First Class Honours Degree before completing his Masters in Performance. During his time at the RCM Adam was a two time winner of the RCM Trumpet Prize and also performed Copland’s Quiet City with the RCM Symphony Orchestra, conducted by John Wilson. Since leaving the RCM, Adam has performed with orchestras including the Philharmonia, LPO and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. Adam has also played and recorded with the Gabrieli Consort, European Brass Ensemble and National Symphony Orchestra and has performed on radio for the BBC Proms with the Multi Story Orchestra and Paraorchestra.  As soloist, Adam has performed with the St Cecilia Orchestra, Settle Orchestral Society and Blackpool Symphony Orchestra. Adam is also a founder member of brass ensemble Kensington Brass and is the Brass teacher at Hurlingham School, Putney.

William Brown is the Principal Trombone of Orpheus Sinfonia. Alongside his work with Orpheus, he maintains a busy and varied career performing with some of the UK's leading orchestras, including the Royal Opera House, Brighton Philharmonic, and Oxford Philharmonic. A passionate educator, William is a dedicated teacher at Sunningdale School and works as an ABRSM examiner, helping to inspire the next generation of musicians.

Oliver is Principal Timpanist and Percussionist with the Orpheus Sinfonia, as well as the Drum Kit and Percussion chairholder on the forthcoming UK tour of Miss Saigon. Previous shows include Sondheim’s Old Friends in the West End, and Les Miserables on tour around the UK. He has held orchestral trials with the Northern Ballet Sinfonia, Philharmonia, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.

Rosemary Taylor is the Chief Executive of Orpheus Sinfonia. A multi-award-winning clarinetist, she brings her passion for excellence and drive to "make things happen" to her executive roles. A graduate of Cambridge University and the Royal Academy of Music, she also serves as Associate Director of the Windsor Festival International String Competition and as a fundraiser, and as a music educator, currently visiting teacher of clarinet at Cranleigh School.

A music graduate of Cardiff University, Richard has held positions at the Philharmonia Orchestra (Marketing Manager), Rhinegold Publishing (Head of Marketing), Cancer Research UK (Cash Development Manager) and International Theatre & Music (Head of Marketing & Licensing). Alongside his role of Operations Manager for Orpheus Sinfonia Richard is the founding Musical Director of Tredici Choir, Musical Director at St Matthew's Ealing Common and Senior Executive of the Keyboard Trust.