The Dionysus Ensemble was formed by ‘cellist Léonie Adams in 2003 and has performed in numerous venues across the UK including London's prestigious Purcell Room.
Léonie studied the ‘cello in Moscow and London and has been guest principal for Northern Ballet, Orchestra of the Swan and the British Philharmonic Orchestra, No.2 with English National Opera and the Philharmonia and No.3 with Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. She has also played as a soloist for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace, recorded at Abbey Road Studios and played with artists including Jason Donovan, Shirley Bassey and Jeff Beck. She also plays occasionally for the Lion King in London’s West End. When not playing the ‘cello, Léonie likes racing Aston Martins around tracks, growing tomatoes, reading James Bond books and cooking.
Between raising 3 children and planting potatoes and other delicious things, Richard plays the violin all over the place. Having begun lessons aged 4 and now mostly grown up, he performs with chamber groups like the Dionysus Ensemble, Auriga Strings and The Chamber Ensemble of London as well as orchestras including Oxford Philomusica, CBSO, Southern Sinfonia and Dorset Opera. Richard has also played with Gloria Estefan, Neil Sedaka and Jonny Matthis, not to mention having the privilege of recording at iconic locations such as Abbey Road, Air and Angel studios. But some of his most rewarding work is teaching at Benenden School and Epsom College, and coaching at Royal Holloway University, Junior MusicWorks and National Scouts and Guides Symphony Orchestra. Richard particularly likes Fantasy Football and Funny Films.
Hazel loves playing the violin for orchestras like the Ulster Orchestra and Northern Lights Symphony Orchestra, but also loves playing chamber music, especially for children. Hazel plays Bollywood music where she gets to dance around on stage too: such fun! She recently began learning the french horn (for fun) and passed Grade 1 with distinction, raising lots of money for some poorly children on Africa.
When not playing the violin (or french horn), Hazel can be found playing with her niece and nephews' toys especially "marble run", or trying to achieve the perfect "downward dog" yoga pose.
Emma started life as a violinist, but then decided the viola is a much less squeaky instrument! She has a busy life playing in orchestras such as the London Philharmonic, Philharmonia and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, and recorded the Lord of the Rings soundtrack at Abbey Road. She also very much enjoys playing chamber music and the piano, and in fact played the piano for Hazel's grade 1 horn exam!
When not playing she enjoys baking macaroons for her niece, and knitting jumpers that never fit.
Dan first began pestering his parents for violin lessons when he was 5 and finally started when he was 7. At 14 he began having viola lessons too and soon realise it was a much better instrument than the violin, so he decided to become a viola player. Dan now plays the viola for lots of different symphony orchestras, string quartets and ballet orchestras, but his favourite type is the opera orchestra.
Dan has been in several films playing his viola, the first called Thunder Pants and the most recent the latest Mission Impossible film. Being on set during filming is very exciting.
Dan lives in the countryside with his wonderful wife, two crazy sons and two lazy cats. They all love going for lots of walks in the woods and playing with Lego.
Léonie studied the ‘cello in Moscow and London and has been guest principal for Northern Ballet, Orchestra of the Swan and the British Philharmonic Orchestra, No.2 with English National Opera and the Philharmonia and No.3 with Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. She has also played as a soloist for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace, recorded at Abbey Road Studios and played with artists including Jason Donovan, Shirley Bassey and Jeff Beck. She also plays occasionally for the Lion King in London’s West End. When not playing the ‘cello, Léonie likes racing Aston Martins around tracks, growing tomatoes, reading James Bond books and cooking.
Between raising 3 children and planting potatoes and other delicious things, Richard plays the violin all over the place. Having begun lessons aged 4 and now mostly grown up, he performs with chamber groups like the Dionysus Ensemble, Auriga Strings and The Chamber Ensemble of London as well as orchestras including Oxford Philomusica, CBSO, Southern Sinfonia and Dorset Opera. Richard has also played with Gloria Estefan, Neil Sedaka and Jonny Matthis, not to mention having the privilege of recording at iconic locations such as Abbey Road, Air and Angel studios. But some of his most rewarding work is teaching at Benenden School and Epsom College, and coaching at Royal Holloway University, Junior MusicWorks and National Scouts and Guides Symphony Orchestra. Richard particularly likes Fantasy Football and Funny Films.
Hazel loves playing the violin for orchestras like the Ulster Orchestra and Northern Lights Symphony Orchestra, but also loves playing chamber music, especially for children. Hazel plays Bollywood music where she gets to dance around on stage too: such fun! She recently began learning the french horn (for fun) and passed Grade 1 with distinction, raising lots of money for some poorly children on Africa.
When not playing the violin (or french horn), Hazel can be found playing with her niece and nephews' toys especially "marble run", or trying to achieve the perfect "downward dog" yoga pose.
Emma started life as a violinist, but then decided the viola is a much less squeaky instrument! She has a busy life playing in orchestras such as the London Philharmonic, Philharmonia and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, and recorded the Lord of the Rings soundtrack at Abbey Road. She also very much enjoys playing chamber music and the piano, and in fact played the piano for Hazel's grade 1 horn exam!
When not playing she enjoys baking macaroons for her niece, and knitting jumpers that never fit.
Dan first began pestering his parents for violin lessons when he was 5 and finally started when he was 7. At 14 he began having viola lessons too and soon realise it was a much better instrument than the violin, so he decided to become a viola player. Dan now plays the viola for lots of different symphony orchestras, string quartets and ballet orchestras, but his favourite type is the opera orchestra.
Dan has been in several films playing his viola, the first called Thunder Pants and the most recent the latest Mission Impossible film. Being on set during filming is very exciting.
Dan lives in the countryside with his wonderful wife, two crazy sons and two lazy cats. They all love going for lots of walks in the woods and playing with Lego.
