Caroline Waters was born in Jersey and began violin lessons at the age of seven. With the help of a musical benefactor, Caroline continued her studies from the age of 14 in Manchester at Chetham’s School of Music. Continuing at the Royal Northern College of Music, she studied with Richard Deakin, and throughout her time in Manchester she enjoyed opportunities to lead orchestras and perform chamber music.
Caroline has lived in Bedfordshire since 1989 when she began playing with the Bedford Orchestras under the baton of Michael Rose. She divides her time between performance work and teaching violin and viola. Caroline is happiest playing music with others and spent 27 years playing string quartets with the Kaznowski String Quartet. She performs regularly as a soloist and chamber musician, now leading The Element String Quartet, Trio and Duo.
Read full bioAlex Collins started learning the violin at the age of eight, and soon after won numerous local competitions and a music scholarship to Bedford School to study with Martin Hughes. This started to sculpt Alex’s musical identity, after which he gained a place at The Royal College of Music. During his time at the RCM, Alex played under the baton of Sir Antonio Pappano, Vladimir Jurowski and Thomas Zehetmair. He also formed part of the Vesta Quartet, who gave concerts in and around London and received regular coaching from the Chilingirian Quartet. Alex was then given a scholarship to complete his Masters at Guildhall School of Music and Drama, learning with Stephanie Gonley.
Closer to home, Alex enjoys performing as a soloist with Bedford Sinfonia. Other highlights have included performances at the Royal Albert Hall and Birmingham’s Symphony Hall. He performs regularly with the Element String Quartet, the Facade Ensemble and the London Firebird Orchestra.