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Violas

Isobel Doncaster

Tutti Viola

Isobel grew up in Hertfordshire, starting on violin, before changing to viola under the guidance of her first teacher Vanessa Gaidoni. She benefitted from many local and national youth music schemes, such as National Children's Orchestra, Aldeburgh Young Musicians and Hertfordshire County Youth Orchestra. She went on to study viola at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, learning with Matthew Jones (undergraduate) and Gary Pomeroy (postgraduate), graduating in 2024.

She has played with a variety of ensembles, such as Manchester Camerata, Britten Sinfonia, Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and Fantasia Orchestra. She is a confident session musician, having recorded on both viola and voice at studios such as BBC Maida Vale, Air Studios in Hampstead, Air Edel Studios in Marylebone and RAK Studios in St Johns Wood.

Isobel enjoys playing a variety of genres, from classical to pop, jazz, folk and much more. She teaches on both violin and viola and is a passionate workshop leader, having worked with music education organisations such as Aldeburgh Young Musicians and Stapleford Granary to provide workshops for a range of musical abilities and ages.

Also a singer, Isobel has worked with the Guildhall Session Singers and is backing vocalist and viola player for singer-songwriter Georgia Morgan-Turner.

In her spare time, Isobel likes to read, write songs and do cryptic crosswords.

Live in concert

  • Centre Stage: Viola Extravaganza

Meet more of our players

  • Headshot of violist Christopher Yates

    Chris Yates

    Section Leader Viola
  • Headshot of violist Adam Romer

    Adam Römer

    Section Leader Viola
  • Headshot of violist Michael Jenkinson

    Michael Jenkinson

    Sub-principal Viola
  • Headshot of violist Catherine Bower

    Catherine Bower

    Sub-principal Viola

Further content for Isobel Doncaster

Keep exploring... Meet the whole Orchestra

Photograph of Kazuki Yamada conducting the orchestra at Symphony Hall

Contact Details

(0121) 616 6500 information@cbso.co.uk

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Supported using public funding by Arts Council EnglandSCC

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