Born in 1981 in Cardiff, South Wales, Cerys Jones is a violinist highly sought after for her honest, fresh approach to the repertoire and her dynamic musical personality. Equally in demand as a soloist, chamber musician and orchestral leader, Cerys continues to perform extensively across the UK, Europe and Middle East.

 

After spending the last two years studying with Lewis Kaplan, Professor of Violin at the Juilliard School, in New York City, Cerys has returned to the Royal College of Music in London to take a place on the prestigious Artist Diploma course, studying with Gordon Nikolich, Lewis Kaplan and Madeleine Mitchell.

 

During her studentship Cerys has been awarded numerous prizes including the Sidney Perry Award from the Philharmonia Orchestra/Martin Musical Scholarship Fund, the Kenneth Loveland Gift, and Artist of the Countess of Munster, as well as the 2006 John Fussell Award for an outstanding UK Young Artist.

 

Cerys is a strong advocate of new music - a characteristic which is reflected in her diverse programmes and her enthusiasm to premiere new works. This has lead to invitations to perform in the Al Bustan Contemporary Music Festival, Beirut, Montepulciano Festival, Italy and Corsham Festival, UK. Cerys has recently won a BBC Education Bursary, supported by the BBC New Talent/Fame Academy organisation, for a large-scale project commissioning established composers to write new works for her, promoted by the BBC.

 

Cerys has enjoyed collaborating with a variety of distinguished artists including violinist Philippe Graffin, violist Asdis Valdimarsdottir, cellist Colin Carr, cellist Julian Lloyd Webber and Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, and pianists Alexander Lonquich and Cristina Barbuti. Most recently Cerys has established a duo with Welsh pianist Llyr Williams, giving their debut recital together at the Brangwyn Hall in October 2006.