About Us

One of the most respected ensembles in the Scottish music industry, the Cairn Quartets’ perform across the UK and Europe in all settings, from intimate settings to extravagant productions. They are equally at home playing for weddings and corporate events as they are on the concert stage.Formed in 2007 whilst busking on the streets of Glasgow, the Cairn String Quartet are graduates of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (now Royal Conservatoire of Scotland) After winning the prestigious Scottish Institute for Enterprise New Ideas competition for entrepreneurial young Scots, the Cairn String Quartet, now a twelve piece, hasn’t looked back.

Specialising in the arrangement and performance of all musical genres, but particularly rock and pop, the quartet provides a tailored made experience designed to make your event memorable and unique. Their very own string arrangements, as well as collaborating with other Scottish composers and arrangers, has led their playlist to be like no other, from Bach to Beyonce, Mozart to Metallica and Sinatra to Star Wars!

Cairn String Quartet have always taken pride in their efficient and personal customer service, and will be happy to answer any questions you might have regarding any event.

Violin

  • Ruth Tarr

    Ruth Tarr (Violin)

    Ruth Tarr was born and brought up in Ulverston, Cumbria and began playing the violin at the age of seven. She progressed to performing in local orchestras, such as Lancashire Youth orchestra, and a dynamic range of ensembles including productions with the Lakeland Opera, and in the pit band for many amateur musicals. She has competed in competitions and festivals and in 2008 won a bursary for the European Youth Summer School. 

    In addition to the violin, Ruth plays the clarinet and saxophone and has played in Swing and Wind bands where she was given the opportunity to perform in Italy, Paris and Prague. In 2008 she gained a place to study violin at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland under the guidance of Andrea Gajic. Currently in her third year, Ruth has participated in master classes with Ilya Gringolts and the Brodsky Quartet and regularly performs with the Royal Conservatoire’s Chamber, Symphony and Opera Orchestras as well as Camerata Scotland.
  • Gergely Horvath

    Gergely Horvath (Violin)

    Gergely Horvath was born in Budapest (Hungary), and started playing the violin when he was 6. In 1993, he was accepted at the Zoltán Kodály Hungarian School of Choir. He played at the Ede Zathureczky Violin Competiton, the Bartók-duos Competition and played for concerts with the Symphonic Orchestra of Ernő Dohnányi Music School in the Netherlands and in Switzerland.

    In 2001, he was accepted at the Bartók Conservatoir, Budapest.  During these years he took part in several master courses such as the Summer Academy of International Junior Musicians in Debrecen, Pal Eder's master class, and Vilmos Szabadi's master course in Keszthely.

    After finishing the Conservatoir in 2006, he got the Louis Stevenson Scholarship at The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, studying under Peter Lissauer. In 2006 he won the Robert Highgate Prize for Violin, and as member of the Cosmopolitan Quartet, he won all the Academy's major chamber music competitons, and toured around Scotland and England.

    He have had masterclasss with numeruous artists, such as Ilyan Gringolts, Andras Keller, Jonathan Morton and Daniel Bell. With the Horvath Quartet, he have had several masterclasses with the Maggini and Brodsky Quartet, and recently asked by the RSAMD to perform Sir Maxwell Davies' 8th Naxos Quartet for the celebration of his 75th Birthday.

    He has lead the Academy's opera production in Cosi fan Tutte, and he recently performed with Scottish Opera as part of their Apprenticeship Scheme.
  • Katie Rush

    Katie Rush (Violin)

    Katie is a professional freelance violinist with several years experience of performing. Born in 1984 and brought up near Tain in the Highlands, Katie began learning the violin at the age of seven. Before accepting her place at RSAMD, Katie enjoyed playing in a number of ensembles and folk groups, and was also a member of The National Youth Orchestra of Scotland. With these ensembles she was given the opportunity to play abroad in Krakow in Poland, and also toured Montana in the USA.

    In 2005 she graduated from the RSAMD with BA Hons having studied violin with Jerre Gibson and Olivier Lemoine, as well as viola with Lev Atlas. During her time there Katie was involved in the busy orchestral programme at the Academy including symphony, chamber and opera orchestras, leading and co-leading the orchestras. She was awarded the John McInulty Prize for Orchestral String Playing in 2004.

    As First Violinist with the Ragazzi String Quartet, she was invited to Berwick-upon-Tweed to take part in the Paxton House Summer Music Festival in July 2005, performing Shostakovich’s Eighth String Quartet at the Young Musicians Platform. That same month, the Ragazzi Quartet worked alongside critically acclaimed guitarist Allan Neave, on the soundtrack for a nationwide television advert for Minute Maid Juices.

    Katie has since returned to the RSAMD, and completed a Postgraduate Diploma, which she achieved with distinction.

    As well as her busy freelance schedule, present Katie enjoys teaching children of all ages for local councils and the RSAMD Musicworks centres.
  • Catherine Robertson

    Catherine Robertson (Violin)

    Catherine (aka Cat) began playing the violin at the age of eight after deciding to rebel against her brass teacher father. After playing for six years throughout school, Cat went on to study at the RSAMD (now Royal Conservatoire of Scotland) junior school for four years and continued on to the senior academy, where she studied violin with Peter Lissuaer, Edwin Paling and Justine Watts.

    Whilst at the Academy, Cat performed regularly with the symphony, chamber and opera orchestras, and was a member of many smaller chamber groups. During her fourth and final year, Cat took a keen interest in electroacoustic composition, and after gaining a 2:1 BMus (Hons) degree, she went on to study for a diploma in sound engineering from the world renowned SAE. Cat has also taught for both Angus and East Renfrewshire councils and the Musicworks project, as well as enjoying a busy private teaching schedule.

    Cat eventually gave in to her fathers requests, and also took up the euphonium alongside her violin, although she likes to keep this secret. Maybe the opportunity for a guest spot with the Cairn Quartet will arise in the near future...
  • Kathleen O’Hara

    Kathleen O’Hara (Violin)

    Kathleen O’Hara is currently studying towards a BMus (Hons) degree at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, focusing primarily on the violin. She began learning the violin when she was eight years old and at thirteen gained a place at the RSAMD Junior Academy. She then went on to enrol in the senior school of the Royal Conservatoire under the tuition of Justine Watts, the leader of the Scottish Ballet Orchestra, and Andrea Gajic, who regularly performs as a soloist with a number of International Orchestras.

    Currently finishing her third year, Kathleen has had the valuable opportunity to participate in Master Classes with Ilya Gringolts and the Brodsky Quartet, and continues to gain ensemble experience through regular performances with the Royal Conservatoire Symphony, Chamber and Opera Orchestras. In addition to learning the violin, Kathleen studies Classical and Scottish piano and has played for choirs and bands and continues to play solo for various functions.

    Kathleen’s greatest passion as a musician is playing as part of a small ensemble. She also tutors privately in violin and piano.

Viola

  • Jenna McNeill

    Jenna McNeill (Viola)

    Jenna first started studying viola aged 17 at the RSAMD as part of her BMus(honours) degree. She studied both viola and violin and took a particular interest in traditional and gypsy music while studying. During her degree she was heavily involved in symphony orchestra, string orchestra, quartets and duos and played in several string masterclasses, learning from accomplished musicians such as the Brodsky Quartet, Garth Knox, Lawrence Power, Barbara Westphal and of course her tutor, the one and only Lev Atlas.She regularly performs as part of the Orchestra of Scottish Opera and several professional chamber groups around Scotland. She has worked with Traditional Artists such as Dick Gaughan, Karen Mathieson and Capercaillie, and has performed with Chipmunk, Emeli Sandé and Professor Green.Jenna has her own teaching practice where she teaches young people violin and piano and teaches for the Royal Conservatoire at Musicworks String Project in Dumfries & Galloway. Teaching youngsters is something she loves and is currently working towards her PGDE in Secondary Music Teaching.
  • Sarah Leonard

    Sarah Leonard (Viola)

    Sarah is currently in her fourth year of Bachelor of Music (Honours) at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, studying with Andrew Berridge (BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra). Sarah has played in many orchestral ensembles such as the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland (NYOS), NYOS String Ensemble, Camerata Scotland and NYOS Futures. Sarah has a particular interest in new music, and performs with the Glasgow New Music Expedition which is a group that was estabolished in 2010 to premiere new works written by current composers. As well as being an experienced classical performer, Sarah also enjoys playing folk/indie music with several Glasgow-based artists. 
  • Annemarie McGahon

    Annemarie McGahon (Viola)

    Irish born, Annemarie began studying viola at the age of 17 with Elizabeth Csibi at the Royal Irish Academy of Music Junior School. Awarded an Irish Permanent High Achievers Award and numerous Feiseanna prizes, Annemarie continued her studies at the RSAMD in Glasgow unter the tutalage of Lev Atlas, principal viola Scottish Opera, and Andrew Berridge, co-principal of BBCSSO.

    Currently in her Post Graduate year, Annemarie has performed in many masterclasses, including Robin Ireland, Gareth Knox and Barbara Westphal. Annemarie is a keen chamber musician, involved with various ensembles, and is in regular demand from RSAMD's Symphony, Chamber and Opera Orchestras.She recently performed with Scottish Opera and their Apprenticeship Scheme.

    Annemarie teaches violin and viola with RSAMD Musicworks and the High School of Dundee. She perfroms regularly with bands and solo artists, composing string arrangements for recording and performing, playing both violin and viola. Annemarie is also currently working as a music producer for Scottish bands. In her spare time Annemarie volunteers with Community Music project "Sounds in Progress".

Cello

  • Maya Burman-Roy

    Maya Burman-Roy (Cello)

    Cellist Maya Burman-Roy gained her BMus degree at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama under the tutelage of the highly regarded cellist, Robert Irvine. As a student she was involved in a number of, symphony orchestras, chamber groups and masterclasses and had the privilege of learning from William Conway, Johannes Goritzki, Vladimir Ashkenazi, Lutz Kohler, Naomi Boole-Masterson, Alistair Macdonald, John Thwaites, Steven Orton, Jimmy Durrant and many other prominent musicians and conductors.

    A versatile player, Maya performs with a number of classical ensembles and she has a wide repertoire as a solo player. She has performed classical recitals, both nationally and internationally and has worked closely with the celebrated Scottish composer Edward McGuire for many years. This autumn she will be performing a premier of his new piece Silk Strings. She most recently performed with him in the Harmony Ensemble, playing cello and singing in English and Chinese.

    She plays and collaborates with the up and coming band Butcher Boy and has also played on the Belle and Sebastian project God Help the Girl EP, which received excellent reviews. Maya is skilled in improvisation, and performs throughout the UK with award winning singer Eilidh Grant and her Scottish folk band, who are prize-winning regulars at Celtic Connections.

    When not playing for the Cairn Quartet, Maya also works as an instrumental instructor Musicworks as well as in Primary and Secondary schools in Glasgow and Helensburgh.

    This is not the first time Maya has worked for Glasgow City Council; one of her early jobs involved dressing as a bumble bee to promote Glasgow Health Week.
  • Elspeth Mackay

    Elspeth Mackay (Cello)

    Elspeth Mackay was born in Glasgow and began playing the Cello aged 7. She studied at the RSAMD Junior Academy of Music with Patricia Hair and Betsy Taylor before moving to London to continue her studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama with Stefan Popov and Pierre Doumenge. Since graduating in 2007 with BMus(Hons) Elspeth has established a varied career combining performing, teaching and her passion for arranging. Elspeth is responsible for several classic Cairn Quartet arrangements including Flashdance and Blondie's Atomic.

    Whilst in London Elspeth performed in many notable venues including the Barbican Centre and Cadogan Hall with the GSMD symphony orchestras.

    Elspeth regularly performs with various ensembles including the Cairn String Quartet, the Allestri Ensemble and in her most recent venture project the Cello Duo 'Cellobrations!' with fellow Cellist and good friend Fiona McLachlan. The duo gave its debut recital in Glasgow Cathedral in September 2010.

    A passionate and committed teacher, Elspeth currently works as a cello instructor for the East Dunbartonshire instrumental music service.
  • Fiona McLachlan

    Fiona McLachlan (Cello)

    Fiona McLachlan was born and brought up in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, and began playing the cello at the age of 8. At 16 she was offered a place at the RSAMD Junior School, where she studied with Tim Paxton. While there she was awarded the Wolfson Scholarship, and was principal cellist of both the Chamber and Symphony Orchestras.

    In 2003 she gained a place at the RSAMD, where she studied with David Watkin, principal cellist of SCO. She also received regular lessons with Johannes Goretzki, and has had masterclasses with William Conway, Robert Cohen and Emma Ferrand amongst others. As well as regularly performing with the RSAMD Symphony, Chamber and Opera Orchestras, she has appeared numerous times with the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland. Fiona has also performed as soloist at the International Summer School in Debrecen, Hungary, and at the International Summer School in El Escorial, Spain, where she studied with Kate Price. As well as performing, Fiona also enjoys teaching and co-ordinating community music projects throughout Scotland, including events organising for Oxjam. Fiona also performs, records and writes parts for numerous bands and solo artists. Since graduating with a 2/1 BMus(Hons) in July 2008, she has been in constant demand as a freelance musician, performing with the Scottish Festival Orchestra amongst others, and also enjoys a part time teaching post with North Lanarkshire Council.

    In any spare time she has she enjoys running, having recently completed the Great Scottish Run Half Marathon, and looking after her two fish Hoddit and Doddit.

Singers

  • Zoë Challenor

    Zoë Challenor (Singers)

    Zoë recently graduated from postgraduate studies at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama where she won the Norma Greig French Song Prize.

    Opera roles have included Zerlina (Hampstead Garden Opera), Jane in John Joubert's 'Jane Eyre' (Birmingham’s CBSO Centre), Gretel (London's Southbank Centre), Flora, Britten’s 'Turn of the Screw' (Britten-Pears School, Aldeburgh), as well as Cupid, 'Venus and Adonis' and Spirit and First Witch, 'Dido and Aeneas' with the Geneva Opera Studio. Earlier this year in Edinburgh she sang a Lyrique in the RSAMD - Scottish Opera collaboration of Prokofiev’s ‘L’Amour des trois oranges’. Forthcoming roles this summer include Elena in 'Shadowplays' with Tête à Tête at the Riverside Studios in London, and ‘Domestic’ with the Stephen Crowe Ensemble at the Arcola Theatre’s Grimeborn Opera Festival. 

    Solo oratorio performances include Fauré’s 'Requiem' with Christopher Maltman in Birmingham’s Symphony Hall, Handel’s 'Messiah' in Germany for Expo 2000, and the UK première of Galuppi’s 'Confitebor tibi, Domine' with countertenor James Bowman.

Composer

  • Richard Bett

    Richard Bett (Composer)

    Glasgow based Richard Bett, is currently studying and composing at the Royal Scottish Academey of Music and Drama. Equally proficient in Piano, Clarinet and saxophone, Richard has been in demand as both composer and arranger of music from a young age. Richard has recieved the prestigious award for compositional studies from the RSAMD and is pleased to have own compositions and arrangements publicly performed throughout Scotland by differing ensembles.

See us ...

Live Showcase!

23rd February 2012, 7pm

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Design : Julie Annis