Laura Jellicoe (Flute) & Paul Janes (Piano)

Laura Jellicoe - flute

Laura’s career as a flautist has taken her all over the world, playing with many of the UK’s top orchestras and ensembles. She won 1st prize in the 1992 British Flute Society’s International Young Artist Competition, chaired by Sir James Galway, was a Wind Finalist in BBC TV Young Musician of the Year, joined the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra at only 22, and is currently Principal Flute with the English Symphony Orchestra.

Highlights to date have included playing with the BBC Symphony Orchestra at the world famous ‘Last Night of the Proms’, and touring Europe with the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, performing in some of the finest concert halls. She has broadcast on radio and tv many times, and can be heard as 1st or 2nd flute on recordings such as the complete Beethoven Symphonies with Sir Charles Mackerras and RLPO;  Bax Symphonies conducted by Vernon Handley and BBC Philharmonic; Delius with Richard Hickox and BBC National Orchestra of Wales; Faure, Kodaly, Nielsen with the RLPO; and all five Beethoven Piano concertos with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields. She was also very grateful to have been involved in many livestream performances with the English Symphony during the pandemic.

Alongside playing, Laura has a real passion for teaching, and for passing on what she has learnt both in the profession and from her previous tutors (Michael Cox, Clare Southworth, Peter Lloyd, Richard Davis, Kate Hill). She had 10 wonderful years teaching at the internationally renowned Chethams School of Music, and is now Professor of Flute at the Royal Academy of Music, where her students come from all over the world. She also continues to teach flute and chamber music at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, where she was Head of Flute for several years. Her philosophy in teaching is to try to bring out the expressive voice of each individual student – this is based on letting go of all tension, finding good posture and balance, and developing a relaxed breathing technique. Many of her ex-students now have orchestral positions or a busy freelance career, and one of her greatest joys is turning up to a ‘gig’ to find herself sat next to one of them!

Laura’s favourite hobby is meeting with friends, but she also loves walking in the Lake District with her husband Terry, visiting Italy whenever possible, and trying to play tennis…

Paul Janes - piano

Raised in Hampshire, Paul Janes has lived in Manchester since first arriving in 1986 as a student at the Royal Northern College of Music and Manchester University. He has since forged a varied career in performing, teaching and examining, and as a pianist he is known for his versatility and musical sensitivity.

Since the 1990s he has worked regularly as a freelance orchestral pianist, particularly with the Hallé and BBC Philharmonic, often featuring in prominent solo parts including Stravinsky’s ‘Petrushka’ and Percy Grainger’s ‘The Warriors’. He has performed concertos with, amongst others, the BBC Philharmonic and London Mozart Players, and worked as a soloist with conductors such as Yan Pascal Tortelier, Richard Hickox and Leonard Slatkin.

As a solo pianist Paul specializes in the Viennese Classical School and in early 20th century French music, but has explored all corners of the repertoire from Scarlatti through to George Crumb.

Paul has a particular love of chamber music and ensemble performance, and over the years has worked with many outstanding musicians, including Steven Osborne, Rebecca Gilliver, Roderick Williams, Simon Rowland-Jones, Marcia Crayford, Moray Welsh, Adam Walker, the Carducci and Piatti Quartets and Joshua Ellicott, and frequently collaborates with Manchester-based musicians including the Chagall Ensemble and flautist Laura Jellicoe. He has also performed regularly with the contemporary ensemble Psappha, including a centenary performance of Schoenberg’s Pierrot Lunaire in 2012 and an appearance at the Cheltenham International Festival.  Recent projects have included a disc of instrumental music by Edward Gregson on the Naxos label (released in April 2021).

Paul has been a member of the teaching staff at the RNCM since 1993, and is an examiner, trainer and moderator for ABRSM. He is the proud owner of a 1907 Steinway Model ‘O’ grand.