Leader - Ralph Dawson

Our leader is professional violinist Ralph Dawson.

Ralph studied the violin at the Guildhall School of Music in London and privately with Ralph Holmes and Maurice Clare (a pupil of Sevcik and Enescu). He worked full time as a member of the Ulster Orchestra (2 years) and Opera North (5 years).

Since his departure from Opera North in 1992 he has spent nearly three decades as a freelance musician, working with a huge variety of artists and musicians from all genres. Such variety includes touring Europe playing Strauss waltzes, to backing Led Zepplin, performing Operas at the London Proms and even playing underneath Europe's highest rollercoaster. Ralph has also given solo performances, including concertos by Bach, Mozart, Bruch and Mendelssohn. He is currently a tutor of violin at Leeds University.

Both his children, Stephen and Lizzie, also play the violin.

Ralph's interests away from music include walking and cycling and in 2017 he completed LEJOG in 15 days.