CLAIRE NEWTON
BIOGRAPHY
British violist Claire Louise Newton has established herself as a versatile and accomplished performer- known for her dynamic performances as both a chamber and orchestral musician. She has
performed with renowned ensembles such as the Brodsky Quartet and the Nash Ensemble and her talent has led to appearances at festivals including the West Cork and North York Moors Chamber Music Festivals. Additionally, she has recorded with the Vuillaume Quartet under the Linn Records label.
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Claire is violist of the Alkyona Quartet, a group celebrated for their warm connection with audiences and vibrant performances. The quartet frequently performs at music societies both in the UK and internationally. In 2023, they were guest artists at the Melbourne Quartetthaus Festival in Australia and the Lichfield International Festival. The Alkyona Quartet looks forward to their upcoming residency at the Lake District Summer Music Festival and continuing their annual performances at the Huygens Festival, where they have been guests for the past four years.
The quartet's love for cross-disciplinary collaborations has led them to be the Ensemble in Residence at Leighton House Museum from 2019 to 2023. Their artistic ventures extend to partnerships with the Latin American band Quimantu, tabla player Kuljit Bhamra, and the dance company The Dutch Don’t Dance Division. In 2024, their recording of composer Anibal Vidal's Unboxing a Music Box, a piece written for the Alkyona Quartet, was released by Sello Modular.
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She frequently performs with esteemed orchestras including the Philharmonia Orchestra, the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, and the London Symphony Orchestra- and is equally at home with Chamber Orchestras such as Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields and London Mozart Players. Her experience has led to invitations as Guest Principal Viola with the English National Opera, the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, RTÉ, and the City of London Sinfonia. As a sought-after session musician, Claire regularly records for film and television also.
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Passionate about music education, Claire has served as viola coach for the National Children's Orchestra, the London Schools Symphony Orchestra, and Pro Corda's Junior, Intermediate, and Senior Courses. Her teaching experience extends to the Junior Royal Academy of Music and the charity 'Play for Progress,' where she provided musical activities and tuition for unaccompanied child refugees.
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Claire began her formal studies at the Royal Northern College of Music under the guidance of Louise Lansdown and continued her education at the Royal Academy of Music with Martin Outram. Her talent was recognised with the ABRSM Scholarship, among other awards that supported her studies. Claire earned numerous prizes for her performances, both as a soloist and as a chamber musician. She later joined the Royal College of Music as a chamber music fellow with the Alkyona Quartet.