Flute & Piano Duo
Anna Stokes - Flute
Anna Stokes has worked with numerous orchestras including the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra, London Concert Orchestra, Northern Sinfonia, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Brandenburg Sinfonia, Arts Symphonic, National Theatre Orchestra (‘Light Princess’ by Tori Amos) and session work for EMI, Universal, Deutsche Grammophon, Decca and Mercury.
She has also performed in a number of duo recitals with flautist Lisa Friend. In 2014, she released a CD entitled 'Luminance - Solo & Duo Works for flute and piano' – Lisa Friend, Anna Stokes (Flutes) & Mark Kinkaid (Piano) under Champs Hill Records (Jan 2014 Release). Their CD was chosen as 'Classic FM CD of the Week' (Jan 2014), David Mellor's Album of the Week (5 Star Review) in the 'Mail on Sunday' (Jan 2014) and aired on BBC Radio 3, BBC Radio 2, BBC London, Classic FM and RTE Lyric FM.
Anna founded the Emanuel Ensemble in 2001 and they have since gone on to perform in recitals at the Purcell Room, Wigmore Hall, Cadogan Hall, National Gallery, V & A Museum, Conway Hall, Leighton House and various UK concert societies. Anna recorded her debut CD with the Emanuel Ensemble (John Reid, pianist and Louisa Tuck, cello) for Champs Hill Records (released in 2011). She has also given solo flute / piano duo performances for the Qatar Foundation in Doha, at the Beethovenhaus in Bonn, the Cheltenham International Festival, various UK concert societies and performed concertos and solo works by Bach, Chaminade, Mozart, Quantz, Reinecke and Rouse.
Awards and sponsorship include; Haynes International Flute Competition Prize Winner (USA), David Bowerman Charitable Trust Sponsorship, Sir James Galway International Masterclass Award for ‘Best Performer by popular vote’ 2007, Marc Rich Scholarship for Artistic Achievement, LPO Future Firsts (2006-2007), Solti Foundation Award, EMI Sound Foundation Award and a Brannen-Cooper Flute awarded to her from the ‘Foundation for Sport and the Arts’. She has given workshops in the UK, Hong Kong and Qatar and assists on the annual ‘Friend International Flute Academy’.
Anna was awarded a scholarship to the Purcell School of Music where she studied with Anna Pope. She was subsequently awarded a Foundation Scholarship to the Royal College of Music where she studied flute with Susan Milan and Stewart McLlwham, graduating in 2004 with First Class Honours. Anna was selected to participate in the Sir James Galway International Masterclass, Switzerland 2006-2008.
Anna plays on a silver Powell Flute. She is grateful for the kind support from the David and Mary Bowerman Charitable Trust.
www.annastokes.com
Katherine Rockhill - Piano
Katherine attended the Royal College of Music in London, where she was a Foundation Scholar, Major Prize-Winner and Junior Fellow. Upon graduating, she won the RCM's most prestigious award, the Tagore Medal, which was presented to her by HRH the Prince of Wales. At the personal request of Prince Charles, Katherine has twice performed at Sandringham House.
Katherine has appeared on BBC Television, BBC Radio and Classic FM and has given duo recitals at the Purcell Room, Wigmore Hall and the Queen Elizabeth Hall. She has toured extensively with internationally renowned flautist, Susan Milan including concerts in the United States, Australia and South Korea.
Emphasising her versatility, Katherine has played keyboard in many West End musicals including, 'Grease', 'Jesus Christ Superstar', 'Crazy for You', 'Whistle down the Wind', 'My Fair Lady', 'Mamma Mia' and ‘Miss Saigon’. She is currently depping on kinky boots at the Adelphi theatre. In 1998 Katherine was the pianist for the premier of Mike Oldfield's 'Tubular Bells3' performed at Horse Guards Parade in London.
Katherine has worked with Debbie Wiseman when recording her music for the soundtrack to the animated stories of Oscar Wilde; 'The Nightingale and the Rose', 'The Selfish Giant', and 'The Devoted Friend'. She also recorded the soundtracks to the films 'Mona Lisa Smile' 'Because of Winn Dixie' 'The Lakehouse' as well as appearing as the pianist in the film 'The Edge of Love'.
Her recordings include the soundtrack to Andrew Lloyd Webber & Jim Steinman's 'Whistle down the Wind' and 'Under the Influence' with renowned horn player Dave Lee. She has also recorded 'Trio for Violin, Cello & Piano-Opus 47' by composer Richard Arnell, performing with the Locrian Ensemble.
Katherine was the pianist for Tori Amos' musical 'The Light Princess' at the National Theatre in London. She then recorded the cast album, released in November 2015.
As well as her busy performance schedule, Katherine is a very dedicated and passionate music teacher. Katherine was the piano coach for the leading lady, Jill Winternitz, in the Tony award winning musical 'Once' at London's Phoenix Theatre.
Katherine's most recent orchestral work has been with the RPCO, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and with the National Symphony Orchestra accompanying Katherine Jenkins on keyboard on her UK tour.