Described by the "American Record Guide" as having "Sensitivity, vigour and taste in equal proportions", ANDREW LONG has given concerto and recital performances throughout Scandinavia and Europe including a live performance of Elgar's violin sonata on Polish television. He is also a regular recitalist at the Duke of Westminster's country home Eton Hall.
After leaving his position as Assistant Leader with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Andy is now the Associate Leader of Opera North. He was also the Leader of the Performing Arts Symphony Orchestra for many years playing concertos and showpieces to audiences of over 16,000 people.
As a keen exponent of contemporary music he has commissioned and recorded many new works and his NWE's recording of Kevin Malone's "18 Minutes" was chosen by Naxos to represent one of their Top 20 tracks from their catalogue of 2 million. In 2019 Andy premiered Malone's Violin Concerto with the Orchestra of Opera North and plans are afoot to tour it to the Ukraine and America.
Andy taught at Chetham's School of Music for 15 years as well as at Manchester University. He also taught privately for Sir Yehudi Menuhin and was invited to accept a post at his specialist school.
Andy also conducts, arranges for and presents the Andy Long Orchestra where he indulges his passion for the light music and easy listening genres. His arrangements of popular classics have made them regular features at corporate events and at the Bridlington Spa Grand Ballroom.
His landmark recording with Ian Buckle of music for violin and piano by Sir Edward German was released worldwide reaching number 78 in the classical download charts. Their recording of three sonatas by Humphrey Procter-Gregg was released in 2019.
Welsh harpist EIRA LYNN JONES combines the three strands of her career as performer, teacher and composer.
She regularly plays with the Hallé, RLPO, BBC Philharmonic and has given recitals in Johannesburg, Copenhagen, New York, Seville, Athens and Reykjavik. Her two solo albums received critical acclaim, and her CD Fragments with flautist Anna Rosa Mari featured on Apple Music Classical AM Top 50 playlist.
An advocate of developing new repertoire, Eira regularly collaborates with composers, and has premiered and recorded works by Martin Ellerby, Sally Beamish, Eddie McGuire and John Rutter. Recent concerts include at King’s Lynn Festival, Harp on Wight, Edinburgh International Harp Festival and even at the iconic Victoria Baths, Manchester.
Her commitment to introducing the harp to wider audiences has resulted in an eclectic range of work: recordings with the Black Dyke Brass Band and the heavy metal group Venom; tours with Morriston Orpheus Male Voice Choir and with Aled Jones on Songs of Praise; playing for the then HRH Prince of Wales … and appearing in two episodes of Coronation Street!
Eira is recognised as one of the UK’s leading harp teachers, having been Head of Harp at the Royal Northern College of Music for nearly 30 years. Her online courses and innovative workshops attract students from as far away as New Zealand and China.
As a composer, she is inspired by the stories around her, from medieval tales to contemporary events. She was selected as composer for Illumine Theatre’s audio drama Tremolo, now available on major podcasts.