Strings

Ariana's story...

Ariana Kashefi is a third year student on the Batchelor of Music degree programme. She has won the Anna Shuttleworth Cello prize, and has been awarded the Fleming Scholarship and the Henry Wood Award. She studies with Melissa Phelps and has held principal positions with many of the RCM orchestras.

“As a cellist, the main reason I was drawn to study at the RCM was because of the choice of highly acclaimed professors. I chose to study with Melissa Phelps because I respect her greatly as a musician and I knew that I had some technical issues she would be able to help me with.

The RCM also attracts many fantastic players, and I’ve been hugely inspired from visits by the cellists Natalia Gutman and Guy Johnston. Most recently the noted cellist Johannes Goritzki has become a visiting professor, giving lessons to students a few times every term, which is such a great opportunity for us.

I am a hugely passionate chamber musician and therefore the unlimited chamber coaching that the RCM offers is invaluable to me. With the Sacconi Quartet as Ensemble in Residence and the many individual professors who are keen chamber players, you are never short of choice!

Through the RCM I’ve had the opportunity to perform at some veryexciting engagements, most notably a chamber concert at the Wigmore Hall. I’ve also taken advantage of the many lunchtime concerts at College, which offer a fantastic opportunity to try out new programmes in front of a friendly audience.

The location of the RCM – in the heart of London and in one of the most diverse and culturally rich cities in the world – already is an advantage for anyone studying here. With so many world-class musicians regularly visiting the city and enthusiastic to collaborate with the College, I’ve had the opportunity to play under the baton of Vladimir Jurowski – an experience I’ll never forget!”