Michael Newman
Michael is a Cellist equally comfortable in Classical, Jazz and Folk styles. He recently completed Masters Degree with Distinction at the Royal Academy of Music where he studied with renowned Swedish Cellist and Composer Mats Lidström.
As Cellist of the Fitzroy Quartet he regularly performs throughout the country and abroad. Michael is also passionate about contemporary classical music and has worked with London Sinfonietta, with the ensemble Khymerikal he performed on BBC Radio 3 twice as well as at Tete a Tete Opera Festival, Lancaster Jazz Festival and throughout the country, he was principal Cello of the Royal Academy’s Manson Ensemble in performances at Aldeburgh Festival and at Royal Festival Hall and has also worked with London Sinfonietta. He is principal Cello of Constella Opera Ballet, which sees him performing in many exciting productions including recently Schoenberg’s Pierrot Lunaire at Grimeborn Opera Festival.
As a soloist, he has performed throughout the UK in recitals as well as performances of Brahms Double Concerto with Settle Orchestra and Schumann Concerto with Orchestra of the City, Michael was also awarded the Royal Academy’s Peter Halling Memorial Prize. Prior to studying at the Academy he studied at the Royal Northern College of Music under Nicholas Trygstad, where he won the Nossek Prize for romantic chamber music, and at Chetham’s School of Music, with Sue Lowe and Chris Hoyle. He has also received tuition from: Ralph Kirschbaum, Guy Johnston, Hannah Roberts, Gregor Horsch, Miklos Perenyi, Mario Brunello and Raphael Wallfisch among many others.
Michael studied jazz at Chethams with Les Chisnall (Piano) and Steve Berry (Bass/Voice). As a Composer he recently had his extended Suite for Singer and ensemble based on poetry by Walter Scott performed at Lancaster Jazz Festival and Manchester University. Other current projects include writing a suite of pieces for Double Bassist Toby Hughes and research into the Chamber Music of Darius Milhaud and other neglected composers. He also has a strong interest in languages.