Jane Atkins

Jane Atkins is a Professor at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and a Viola Tutor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. She specializes in viola performance across genres including Baroque, Contemporary, and Jazz. She has collaborated with renowned orchestras such as the Chamber Orchestra of Europe and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, and premiered works by composers like John McLeod and Morton Feldman. Her recent project, Pardes, is an audiovisual collaboration with artist Jyll Bradley and composer Anna Clyne, showcased at Edinburgh’s Fruitmarket in 2021.

Education: Studied at the Yehudi Menuhin School and Guildhall School of Music and Drama under David Takeno. Early career highlights include winning the LPO/Pioneer Young Soloist of the Year and second prize in the Lionel Tertis competition.

Research interests focus on expanding the viola repertoire through commissions and performances of contemporary works. She is actively engaged in youth music education, coaching the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland and Edinburgh Youth Orchestra. Critical acclaim highlights her 'lyrical' and 'ferocious' performances, as noted by Bachtrack and The Guardian.