String Quartet

About the musicians

Thomas Jackson, violin

Thomas studied at Chetham's School of Music followed by the Royal Northern College of Music where he graduated in 2000. Thomas quickly achieved a full time post in The Prague Philharmonia where he worked for over a year. Since being in London, Thomas has worked with many of the country's leading symphony and chamber orchestras as a freelancer, including the RPO, Philharmonia, RLPO, RSNO, BBC Scottish and Northern Sinfonia.
Thomas was a member of 2004's Southbank Sinfonia and has led performances in many major venues internationally as well as directing Mozart's 5th concerto from the violin. He is leader and Artistic Director of Camerata of London and Surrey Sinfonietta, and has also appeared as leader with the Brandenburg Sinfonia. He has played solo recitals throughout the UK, and is a highly experienced string quartet player.

Julia Burkert, violin

Originally from Germany, Julia moved to Canada when she won a scholarship for violin under the tutelage of Ann Elliott-Goldschmid and the Lafayette String Quartet at the University of Victoria where she graduated with a BMus with Distinction. She did her postgraduate studies with Peter Lissauer at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow. She has been a violinist in Vancouver, Victoria, Vancouver Island and Okanagan Symphonies in Canada and in the UK has performed with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Camerata of London and Surrey Sinfonietta among others. She has appeared as concertmaster with the German National Doctors Orchestra, I Maestri London and was previously concertmaster of the RSAMD New Atheneum Orchestra, University of Victoria Symphony Orchestra, Jugendsinfonieorchester Oberfranken, Markgräfin Wilhelmine Orchestra and Orchesterverein Bayreuth.

Julia has gained extensive chamber music experience with various ensembles. She was leader of the Canada-based Fontana String Quartet with whom she played on P&O Princess Cruiselines between 2002-2004. Currently she works as a freelancing session musician for CD projects, new music ensembles, musical and opera productions. She coaches the Junior Classic Orchestra Regensburg and teaches violin privately in London.

Chris Brody, viola

Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, Chris obtained a BA in Music from Brandeis University in Waltham, Mass. He spent a year at Schaffhausen Konservatorium, Switzerland before coming to London to complete his postgraduate studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. His teachers have included Herbert Greenberg, Robert Koff, Wilma Smith, Andras von Toszeghi, Jack Glickman and Simon Rowland-Jones.
As a freelance orchestral player he is principal viola for Camerata of London, Surrey Sinfonietta and I Maestri, and has performed with the RPO, Ulster Orchestra, RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, Royal Ballet Sinfonia, English Symphony Orchestra and WNO. He has given concerts internationally as a soloist and chamber musician, and is also a keen choral singer.

Sarah Westley, cello

Sarah studied at Trinity College of Music and Royal Academy of Music, achieving a BMus (Hons), PG Dip (Performance) and LRAM. Her professors were Joely Koos, Tim Gill, Jo Knight and Jennifer Ward-Clark (baroque cello), with masterclasses by Mats Lidstrom, Steven Doane and Robert Cohen among others. She was BBC County Young Musician of Hereford and Worcester in 1999 and her training has included work with British Youth Opera and Orchestra of the City (both as principal).
Sarah has freelanced with English National Opera, Milton Keynes City Orchestra, English National Orchestra, Telford New Symphony Orchestra, Camerata of London and Surrey Sinfonietta. Session work includes Martin Okasili, Sven Vath, Jimmy Tenor and Elton John. As a soloist and chamber musician her performances have included Boccherini cello concerto in Bb and a tour of Iran with cello and piano duo.
concerto in Bb and a tour of Iran with cello and piano duo.