Lunchtime Recital - Kayla Nicol, violin

Programme:

J. Brahms: Violin Sonata no.3 in D minor Op.108
E. Chausson: Poème op.25

Biographies:

Kayla Nicol is a violinist studying at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama with Simon Blendis, where she is a recipient of the Elmira Darvarova Scholarship. During her time at Guildhall Kayla has led the summer Opera 2025 and co-led both the Guildhall Studio Orchestra and the Guildhall Symphony Orchestra in the Barbican Hall. Originally from Hertfordshire, Kayla studied with Vanessa David at Junior Guildhall where she was the principal violinist of the Junior Guildhall String Ensemble and the Symphony Orchestra, was a finalist in their annual Lutine Prize and was awarded the Principal's Prize. Kayla was also the principal violinist of the National Children’s Orchestra and co-principal of the National Youth String Orchestra. During this time Kayla was generously supported by Awards for Young Musicians and Future Talent (now Young Sounds UK).

As a soloist Kayla has performed with orchestra works such as Tchaikovsky’s violin concerto, Vivaldi and Piazzola’s four seasons, The Lark Ascending, and the London Premiere of Oliver Davis’ Infinite Oceans. Kayla has also participated in masterclasses with Alina Ibragimova, Chloe Hanslip, Thomas Gould and Jess Gillam. She has won 1st prizes at the North London Music Festival first prize in the South East Schools Chamber Music Competition in 2022. Kayla has also taken part in many courses such as Pro Corda, Musicworks, Cadenza International Summer School, Beares Chamber Music, National Strings UK and a masterclass with Jacqueline Ross at the Luci Della Ribalta Festival in Narni Italy.

Kayla regularly freelances in and around London in groups such as the Fidelio Orchestra, Orion Orchestra, and is leader of the North London Symphony Orchestra. Kayla has also performed for the Queen Camilla at Stationers Hall, The Ivy restaurant in West Street for New Year’s Celebrations, and was the solo violinist in the West-End musical 'Marie Curie' in 2024.
Outside of London Kayla is leader of the North Sea Orchestra as well as a member of Cuore Chamber Orchestra in Yorkshire.

Kayla is a member of the Albero Trio established at Guildhall in 2023 and a member of the Fidelio Collective, who made their debut in January 2025 playing with and premiering a new work by Soloist and composer Lucas Debargue in the Fidelio Cafe London.

Kayla has been an artist at Talent Unlimited since 2026, and she plays on a 1928 Pedrazzini violin and an 1885 James Tubbs bow.

Presented in association with Talent Unlimited

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