Biographies » Cara Berridge

Cara Berridge graduated from the Royal College of Music in 2002 with First Class Honours and continued her studies as the Amaryllis Fleming Scholar, receiving her Postgraduate Diploma and Advanced Diploma with Distinction in 2003 and 2004. She is continuing her studies with Melissa Phelps.

During her time at the RCM Cara was Principal Cello of the RCM Symphony Orchestra and RCM Sinfonietta under conductors including Martin André and Vassily Zinaisky. In 2003 Cara performed continuo cello with the RCM Baroque Orchestra in the Christmas Oratorio, directed by Peter Schreier at St John's, Smith Square. Also during 2003 Cara performed in the London Symphony Orchestra as part of its String Experience Scheme.

Whilst at College Cara won some of the major cello prizes including the Anna Shuttleworth Prize for solo cello 2002 and the Helen Just Prize for cello 2001. As a soloist Cara has performed throughout the UK and Europe, performing concertos by Dvorak, Elgar, Haydn, Saint-Saens and JC Bach. Cara's past teachers include Anna Shuttleworth, Alexander Boyarsky, Jenny Ward-Clarke and Sue Lowe, and she has participated in masterclasses with Alexander Baillie, Johannes Goritzki and Nicholas Jones.