Welsh violinist Rhys Watkins has forged an international career as a distinguished soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral leader, known for his expressive artistry and versatility across genres.
A graduate of the Royal Academy of Music in 2005, Rhys joined the first violin section of the London Symphony Orchestra in 2009. Since then, he has performed in many of the world’s leading concert halls and represented the LSO at high-profile cultural events and recitals in embassies across Beijing, Tokyo, New York, and throughout Europe.
In high demand as a studio musician, Rhys has recorded extensively at London’s Abbey Road and Air Lyndhurst Studios. His violin playing can be heard on the soundtracks of numerous major film productions, including Harry Potter, Star Wars, Thor, The Avengers, Twilight: New Moon, The Imitation Game, Zero Dark Thirty, Cinderella, The Shape of Water, The King’s Speech, Brave, and The Golden Compass, among many others. His collaborations have brought him into creative partnerships with acclaimed directors such as Guillermo del Toro, George Clooney, and Sir Kenneth Branagh.
As a soloist and competition laureate, Rhys has been a finalist and prize-winner in several prestigious international violin competitions, including the Jeunesses Musicales International Violin Competition (Belgrade) and the Paganini International Violin Competition (Moscow).
He is also a core member of the award-winning Artea String Quartet, known for its compelling interpretations and critically acclaimed recordings. The quartet has performed at celebrated venues such as Wigmore Hall, the Purcell Room, and the BBC Proms, with numerous live broadcasts on BBC Radio 3. Their recordings of Mendelssohn and Schubert quartets on the Champs Hill label have received widespread acclaim.
Equally at home in the world of popular music, Rhys has shared the stage with some of the most iconic artists of our time, including Sir Paul McCartney, Queen, Elton John, Bryan Adams, Eric Clapton, Shirley Bassey, Annie Lennox, Tom Jones, Rod Stewart, Tony Bennett, and Phil Collins.
ROWENA CALVERT
British cellist Rowena Calvert has emerged as a dynamic ambassador for the next generation of cellists, captivating audiences across the globe with her artistry, versatility, and passion for performance.
Renowned for her solo work and innovative collaborations, Rowena has performed at many of the world’s most iconic venues, including the Royal Albert Hall, Wigmore Hall, Queen’s Hall, Royal Festival Hall, and regularly appears on BBC Radio 3, BBC Television, and Classic FM. Her artistic partnerships have included collaborations with celebrated dancers and musicians such as Carlos Acosta, bringing a vibrant, cross-disciplinary dimension to her performances. Her concert engagements have taken her across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
A sought-after recording artist at Abbey Road Studios, Rowena’s cello playing can be heard on the soundtracks of major Hollywood films including Mission Impossible, Wonder Woman, and Pixar’s Up. She has worked alongside legendary artists such as Paul McCartney, Dame Shirley Bassey, and, most recently, Billie Eilish at the BRIT Awards. Her touring credits include performances with film composer Hans Zimmer and violinist Nigel Kennedy, and she regularly features at the BBC Proms as a freelance orchestral musician.
As former cellist of the award-winning Cavaleri String Quartet, Rowena gained international recognition, securing top prizes at prestigious competitions such as the Hamburg International Chamber Music Competition, Royal Over-Seas League (London), Osaka International Chamber Music Competition (Japan), and the Premio Paolo Borciani Competition (Italy). The quartet studied under Günter Pichler of the Alban Berg Quartet, held the Leverhulme Fellowship at the Royal College of Music, and served as ensemble-in-residence at Oxford University. They toured extensively throughout Europe, South America, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan, with frequent live broadcasts and critically acclaimed recordings.
Currently based in Bangkok, Rowena serves as Head of Strings at Shrewsbury International School and is Artistic Director of both the Hertford International Concert Series and the R2 International Concert Series. She is also the co-founder and cellist of the violin-cello duo R2, with whom she recently launched the Virtuoso Academy—a new platform dedicated to nurturing young instrumental talent.
Whether on stage, in the studio, or in the classroom, Rowena continues to lead a rich and inspiring career as a soloist, chamber musician, and educator.
