DIRECTOR, VIOLA

Dominic is a violist, composer, and creative who has established himself as one of London’s leading young contemporary artists. His passion and musical facility for all things contemporary has led him to work with groups at the forefront of the new-music scene, such as the Riot Ensemble, “The supergroup of top soloists playing new music”, the Manchester Camerata, O/Modernt, including appearing on BBC radio 3, on a broadcast from the Barbican’s Milton Court concert hall.

He has been lucky enough to work with some incredible composers, and has premiered chamber and solo works in some of London’s prestigious venues - such as King’s place and the Barbican centre - with music by the likes of Naomi Pinnock, Alec Hall, and Edmund Finnis

The ultimate goal, always, is to open up music to a wider audience, make it more accessible and change the way society views classical music. Along with his ensemble, Rothko collective, he has commissioned over 15 new works, was awarded first prize in nonclassical’s competition for emerging talent, given highly acclaimed performances and released a studio and a live album.

He is eternally grateful to all members of the collective - without you, this would not be possible.

CO-DIRECTOR, PERCUSSION

Toril Azzalini-Machecler is a percussionist and composer now in his third year of undergraduate at the Royal College of Music. In 2018 and 2020 he reached the Percussion Finals in BBC Young Musician, and has performed solo at many venues including the Queen Elizabeth Hall and the RAH’s Elgar Room. Outside of Rothko, Toril’s interest in contemporary music led to him being one of the 12 young artists worldwide to be selected in the World Percussion Group 2021 and was a member of the 2022 Britten Pears Contemporary Ensemble.

VIOLINIST

Anna is a British violinist born in London in 2003. She is currently studying for her undergraduate degree in violin performance on a scholarship to the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in the class of Krysia Osostowicz. Anna has won numerous awards for her playing including the John McAslan violin prize at the Junior Royal Academy of Music where she also held a scholarship. Chamber music has been a core part of Anna’s musical training and something she has sought out at every opportunity, benefitting from coaching by members of the Endellion, Allegri, Brodsky and London Haydn Quartets.

As a member of the Rothko collective since its formation, Anna is passionate about changing the way we view classical music as well as reaching wider audiences.

VIOLIN

Leon started playing the violin and piano aged 7 and attended the Centre for Young Musicians (CYM) and the Junior Royal Academy. He was taught by a former leader of the CBSO, Peter Thomas, and currently studies with acclaimed Violinist Stephanie Gonley at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama where he was fortunate enough to receive a scholarship. Leon was a part of the National Youth Orchestra where highlights included a performance of The Rite of Spring in the BBC Proms. In 2018, he went on to lead the London’s Schools Symphony Orchestra for two years which allowed him to work inspirational conductors including Richard Farnes, Sian Edwards, and Ryan Wigglseworth and soloists such as Pacho Flores, Rachael Nicholls, Tom Bowes and Elena Urioste. Last year he made his solo debut in the Barbican directing Bach’s Violin Concerto in E major with the LSSO. Leon also enjoys the challenge of playing contemporary music with his group Rothco collective, who commission new works as well as playing pieces by composers such as Caroline Shaw and Bryce Dessner. Earlier this year, the Rothko Collective won the prestigious non-classical competition ‘Battle of the Bands,’ curated by Gabriel Prokofiev and will now host their own event and release an album.

Recent highlights include playing with The Britten Sinfonia in the Aldeburgh Festival and recording and performing in the revival of Mercadante’s Il Prosciutto in the Barbican. This summer, Leon took part in the Nova-classical music festival in St Austell, Cornwall. He was honoured to join the Morley College Chamber Orchestra last October where he played Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s 4th Ballade for Violin and Orchestra.

CELLO

Sandy Scott-Brown is a cellist hailing from Inverness in the Highlands of Scotland. He is currently a third year at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama studying with Rebecca Gilliver. With a passion for all kinds of playing he has accumulated years of experience in orchestras and chamber groups and has performed throughout the UK and in Italy.

Sandy has been a member of Rothko Collective since it’s first project in early 2021 which has broadened his horizons to the world of new music.

FLUTE

Lucy grew up on the Isle of Arran in Scotland where she started to learn flute at the age of 8 with local teacher Lucy Cartledge. At age 14 she started taking the ferry over on Saturdays to attend the Junior Department at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland with teacher Sheena Gordon, where she won the Gilbert Innes Prize for Woodwind and the Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition. Lucy also spent 2 years at the Music School of Douglas Academy in Glasgow. She is now in her 3rd year of undergraduate studies at Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where she learns with teachers Sarah Newbold and Ian Clarke. Studies at Guildhall so far have led to exploration into contemporary flute technique and improvisation/composition.