Sonia Hammond, Principal Cello

Sonia Hammond currently lives near Hay-on- Wye. As a student at the Birmingham School of Music (now the Birmingham Conservatoire) she gained a BA first class Honours degree in Music together with a handful of diplomas, all with distinction. This was followed by postgraduate studies at the Royal College of Music in London. While still in Birmingham Sonia was invited to play for the Eurythmy School in Botton Village, North Yorkshire. Thus began an enduring association with Camphill communities. This has generated many and varied chamber music performances.

Since moving to the Welsh Borders in 2006 Sonia has given recitals with pianists Roger Nichols, and James Joseph. She is the Castalia and Peregrine String Quartet’s cellist, and also Principal Cellist of both the Brecknock and St Woolos Sinfonia’s. She is also a founder member of Radnor Improvisers. Previous improv work has included workshops in the Mayor’s office in Timbuktu and at Gwernyfedd High School. Sonia recorded her first solo CD, Bach’s Suite No 1 for Solo Cello, in March 2014. Sonia joined the London Cello Orchestra for their tour in South Korea in July 2017.

She is half of the improvising duo Beresford Hammond, who have released two critically acclaimed albums, The Science of Snow in 2014 and this year Each Edge of the Field. In 2015 they were joined by Carolyn Hume to create the Beresford Hammond Hume Trio, this collaboration culminated in the equally critically acclaimed The Lightning bell with Judie Tzuke making a guest appearance.
beresfordhammond.com