BIOGRAPHIES
NADIA HINSON (GRSM Hons, LRAM, LTCL, Royal Society of Musicians)
Nadia graduated from the Royal Academy of Music after having studied the violin with Manoug Parikian and the piano with Jean Harvey. She was awarded first prize for Aural studies and her quartet won the string chamber prize in her final year. Nadia was the featured soloist playing the Lark Ascending and Bach double violin concerto for the Benslow Trust at St. James’ Piccadilly having been awarded an instrument to continue her studies. Other concertos in her repertoire include performances of the Mendelssohn, Mozart no.3 and 4, Haydn in C, De Beriot, Viotti, and works by Beethoven and Finzi.
She began her career as a freelance violinist playing in many London based orchestras. As an accompanist to singers and instrumentalists, she met her musician husband Nigel and together they founded the Veloce Ensemble (string quartet and clarinet quintet) touring throughout Britain performing specially commissioned works for that genre. Appearances at festivals and stately homes inspired a regular concert series at Belvoir Castle and Holmepierrepont Hall. As a recitalist on violin and piano throughout the East Midlands, Nadia has been highlighted in festivals and BBC features locally.
She is also currently the owner and director of the Hinson School of Music in Nottingham, and is an International examiner for the ABRSM, a Jazz examiner for the ABRSM, an adjudicator for the British and International federation of Festivals, and a member of the Royal Society of Musicians.
Nadia has been a senior consultant for the LEAD Academy trust, involved in developing music departments in schools in Nottinghamshire, and leading workshops to encourage and involve as many youngsters as possible in experiencing music and the arts in large scale productions and showcase concerts. She has set up composition workshops to inspire children to explore feelings and ideas through music and is a mentor for the Trust to develop self-confidence and communication through learning and performance.
NIGEL HINSON (ARAM, MMUS, GRSM (Hons), FTCL, LRAM, ARCM, Royal Society of Musicians)
Nigel started playing the clarinet aged 11, taught by his father Roy Hinson. At 17 he joined the Junior Royal Artillery Band at Woolwich, later going on to study at the Royal Military School Of Music Kneller Hall where he was taught clarinet by Paul Harvey. After lessons with Alan Hacker he gained a scholarship audition at the Royal Academy Of Music London where he was taught by Georgina Dobree and Keith Puddy, where he won many prizes including the John Soloman Woodwind / Brass prize. He then gained a Master's Degree at Sheffield University in performance and composition under the supervision of Colin Lawson.
Nigel was invited to be a member of the Royal Society Of Musicians London in 1995 and in 2000, Nigel became an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music (ARAM) which is awarded to former students who have made a significant contribution to the music profession.
Nigel continued to play as a soloist and to record for the Veloce Classics label with Keith Puddy (Clarinet) and Malcolm Martineau (Piano), incorporating much of the clarinet repertoire. Nigel has had many clarinet works written for him including many by Paul Harvey, Paul Harris ( Encore published by Queen's Temple Publications QT 134, 2012) as well as, Ballad In Memory Of Shirley Horn by Richard Rodney Bennett (Novello NOV955735).
He is also a partner with his wife Nadia in a successful private musical school ' The Hinson School Of Music' catering for Clarinet, Saxophone, theory, Violin, Piano and composition from beginners to professionals.
Nigel is in demand as a soloist, chamber musician and as an adjudicator. He is also a regular soloist on Classic FM and BBC Radio 3 and is listed in the International Who's Who of Music and Musicians.