Thomas Carroll

Cello professor

Born in Swansea, Thomas studied with Melissa Phelps at the Yehudi Menuhin School and with Heinrich Schiff in Austria. An exceptionally gifted cellist, he is one of only two artists who have auditioned successfully for both Young Concert Artists Trust in London and Young Concert Artists, including in New York.

He has since gone on to be much in demand as a soloist and chamber musician, appearing with the London Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Sinfonia ViVA, the Vienna Chamber Orchestra and Bayerischer Rundfunk Orchestra. As a chamber musician he has worked with the Belcea Quartet, Chilingirian Quartet, Michael Collins, Gidon Kremer, Steven Isserlis, Mischa Maisky, Julian Rachlin and Janine Jansen, among many others.

During his studies in Salzburg with Heinrich Schiff, Thomas also studied conducting at the Salzburg Mozarteum with Jorge Rotter and in London at the Guildhall with Sian Edwards. He has taken part in masterclasses with Janos Furst and worked with various ensembles and orchestras in Austria and the UK. Over the last five years he has worked closely with Nicholas Kok (Principal Conductor of sinfonia ViVA from 1996-2006) who has become a mentor and with whom Thomas has built a close association as a cello soloist.

Thomas Carroll made his conducting debut with the Spectrum Ensemble in the Berlin Philharmonie in 2006, conducting music by Toch.

Thomas is currently a Professor at the Royal College of Music in London and the Yehudi Menuhin School.

Faculties / departments: Strings