Sophia Bartlette

Sophia is a Brighton-based violinist and conductor whose musical journey began at the age of five, learning with her mother. She went on to study at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, graduating with Distinction, before continuing her training at the Royal College of Music in London. During this time she studied with Dona Lee Croft and John Stein, and was awarded the Ernst Hughes Prize for outstanding achievement.

Her playing has been shaped by masterclasses with Ivry Gitlis, Dorothy DeLay and the Brodsky Quartet.

Sophia performs as a soloist and freelance violinist across the UK and South East. She leads the Sussex Symphony Orchestra, plays with the Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra, and collaborates with the New Note Orchestra. Her work spans a wide range of settings, from concert platforms to festival stages including Glastonbury and Edinburgh.

Alongside performance, Sophia has developed a strong interest in conducting, rehearsal technique and the creative process of ensemble playing. After many years in music education, including her role as Assistant Director of Music at Roedean School, she has stepped away from full-time teaching to focus on developing her own creative work as a conductor and emerging arts director.

She now curates and leads workshops and performance experiences for musicians, centred on ensemble sound, collaborative rehearsal and imaginative programming.

Dynamic Strings is a natural extension of this work — a series of creative play days for string players, bringing together repertoire, rehearsal technique and ensemble sound in a focused, welcoming and musically ambitious environment.

Sophia lives in Rottingdean with her two children and continues to balance performing, conducting and developing new creative projects.