Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, YMF 2002
![[Academy String Sextet]](images/older/academy.jpg)
The Academy String Sextet consists of six young string players, all of whom are postgraduate students at the RSAMD in Glasgow studying on either the PG Diploma or MMus Performance courses. Chamber music is an integral part of Strings Department activity, with students being encouraged to form ensembles which then receive intensive coaching by specialist tutors and visiting artists. The Academy String Sextet, which was formed in October 2001, has been coached by Kyra Humphreys, co-leader of the Northern Sinfonia, herself a renowned chamber musician, with additional help from members of Divertimenti at a recent Academy masterclass.
Feargus Hetherington, violin and leader of the Sextet, will be familiar to the Halifax audience as the first violin of the Sonoré Quartet which received plaudits for its concert in the Festival Showcase 2000. Feargus, who is currently studying with Elizabeth Layton, leader of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, will shortly be commencing a further period of postgraduate study in Cleveland, Ohio with James Buswell.
Caroline Subedi, violin, studies with Martin Hughes, Head of Strings at the RSAMD, and is completing her MMus degree this summer. She freelances with various Scottish orchestras including the Orchestra of Scottish Opera.
Wouter Raubenheimer, viola, is from South Africa and is currently studying with Lev Atlas, principal of the Orchestra of Scottish Opera. A major scholarship recipient, Wouter has already created waves in Scotland with his viola playing, and has recently won the Governors’ Strings Recital Prize Competition at the Academy. He appears shortly in the final of the NYOS Staffa Award in Aberdeen.
Iona Hassan, viola, was born in Aberdeen, and studies with Catherine Marwood who is renowned throughout the UK as a chamber musician. Iona also plays the baroque viola and has appeared with Concerto Caledonia, Scotland’s period instrument group.
Russell Bartholomew, cello, came to the RSAMD from Birmingham to complete his postgraduate studies with Mark Bailey, cellist of the Edinburgh Quartet. Russell has taken part in much chamber music activity whilst at the Academy in addition to making a big contribution to the orchestral programme.
Fiona Smyth, cello, came to Glasgow for her postgraduate course after studying at the RNCM in Manchester, and is taught by Robert Irvine, presently principal of the Orchestra of Scottish Opera. Along with all members of the Academy String Sextet, she has played a major part in the activity of the Stings Department at the RSAMD.