Philippa Harrison, piano: Ensembles
Willshire Piano Duo
The Willshire Piano Duo is comprised of husband and wife team, Philippa Harrison and James Willshire.
The Duo regularly tour around the UK and abroad performing a wide variety of repertoire from Saint-Saens Carnival of the Animals and Britten's works for two pianos, to new commissions such as Duelogue by Rory Boyle.
In addition to their performing work the Duo are keen educationalists, giving masterclasses and promoting music in schools.
The Albany Piano Trio
Described as having 'fastidious musicianship' (Musical Opinion Quarterly), the Albany Trio is a diverse and innovative ensemble whose repertoire focuses on works by female composers - both current and historic - alongside the traditional canon of piano trio music.
The Christian Musicians' Collective
The Christian Musicians' Collective was founded by James and Philippa Willshire with the aim of combining the glorious news of Jesus Christ with classical music of the highest calibre in concert or church settings throughout the UK.
The musicians are all Christians who acknowledge Jesus as their saviour. They lead busy and successful careers around the world with their faith shaping their everyday lives.
A typical CMC concert may have a variety of music interspersed with an interview with the musician/s about their life and faith. These concerts provide an opportunity for evangelical outreach events and can be tailor made to suit the venue and musicians.
Hopkinson - Harrison Duo
Esther began her violin studies with her mother at the age of 6. After 2 years she was awarded a place at Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester to study with Catherine Perkins and later Wen Zhou Li. During her time at the school she benefitted from masterclasses with Antonio Pellegrini, Mark Messenger, Zvi Zeitlin, Kazuki Sawa and Lewis Kaplan and gained her first invaluable experience as a concerto soloist, performing Svendson’s Romance.
Esther subsequently won a full scholarship to attend the Royal Academy of Music where she studied with violinist Remus Azoitei.
She has appeared as a soloist at the Lake District Summer Music Festival, has featured live on Radio 3?s ‘In Tune’ and has toured Holland and Norway performing her favourite chamber music.
Whilst enjoying the challenges of playing with professional musicians from across Europe, Esther loves nothing more than to share her violin skills and her love of music with her students. In September 2012 Esther set up a new String Time Centre in Notting Hill in collaboration with Trinity Laban and Alpha Plus and took on a teaching role with Guildhall School of Music in 2017. In January 2019 Esther was appointed Head of Strings at Headington School, Oxford and will also be teaching more locally at Cheltenham Ladies College from September.
As a duet they perform recitals around the country, have a regular slot at the Ludham Festival in Norfolk, and perform for workshop wellbeing events with the Cheltenham Wellbeing Festival.
