Team

Paul Ingram studied at the Universities of Southampton and Leicester, reading Music and Management respectively. He began conducting in 1995, working with the  orchestras of Southampton University. In 1997, Paul founded the Southampton University Sinfonietta and remained Music Director until 2004. In 1999, he reached the final of the British Reserve Insurance Conducting Competition and has been Music Director of Southampton Concert Orchestra since 2001. Paul was Principal Conductor of Per Piacere from 2007 to 2017 and has recently been appointed Principal Guest Conductor of the professional chamber orchestra, Nova Foresta Classical Players. 

Pianist and broadcaster Keelan Carew balances a love of piano playing with a broad interest in popularising classical music. Born and raised in Medway, Kent, Keelan began his piano studies at age 7, later graduating from the Royal Northern College of Music with Dr Stephen Savage. 

Keelan has found success in recitals across London, throughout England, Madrid and beyond, including an especially extraordinary event at the Royal Festival Hall in 2011, featuring Lang Lang, 99 other young pianists, and over 50 Steinway Grands across the stage. He maintains a broad repertoire and a ravenous appetite for discovering music new, and lost. J.S.Bach is his favourite composer.

Mark Cox is a highly professional and talented performer, renowned for his reliability and focus. Following his early studies at The Royal College of Music Junior Department, Mark joined The Regimental Band of Her Majesty’s Coldstream Guards, where he honed his craft as a professional musician. During this period, he won the prestigious Frank Wright Cornet Competition at The Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall, and was a finalist in the National Trumpet Competition.

Mark graduated from the University of Southampton, where he played principal trumpet in all university ensembles, establishing himself as a versatile and skilled musician. Since then, he has enjoyed a thriving career, performing with a wide variety of ensembles and orchestras. Mark is on the extras list for the English Symphony Orchestra and English National Ballet and has performed in the West End, notably in Starlight Express.

As a soloist, Mark has performed extensively, tackling iconic works such as the concertos of Haydn, Hummel, and Arutiunian. He has also collaborated with conductor Paul Ingram for nearly 30 years, revisiting challenging pieces like Shostakovich’s concerto, which they last performed together almost exactly three decades ago.

Mark’s career has taken him to major venues across the globe, including in the USA, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and throughout Europe. In London, he has performed at the city’s most celebrated concert halls, earning praise for his nuanced and sensitive playing. Reflecting on his performance in La Fiesta de la Posada, Dave Brubeck remarked that “the trumpet parts were played so softly and carefully with the rest of the ensemble.”

Committed to fostering the next generation of musicians, Mark has shared his extensive performing and teaching experience with brass players at Southampton University and the Essex Youth Orchestra as well as many educational institutions in London and the South East of England.

In 2006, Mark faced a significant challenge when he was diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy, a condition that left him unable to play the trumpet for 18 months. Thanks to the invaluable support of the Musicians Benevolent Fund and The Royal Society of Musicians, he made a remarkable recovery and returned to his career with renewed determination.

Now based permanently in France, Mark continues to perform regularly in the UK, including as a founding member of London Heritage Brass. His dedication, artistry, and resilience make him a truly inspiring musician.