Hazel Brooks

Hazel Brooks (Principal 2nd Violin) studied at Clare College, Cambridge. After graduation she went on to study the violin at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater in Leipzig, and the Guildhall School of Music in London, where she specialised in early music. Here she won the Christopher Kite Memorial Prize and the Bankers Trust Pyramid Award, and she was a finalist in the international competitions in York and Antwerp.

As a baroque violinist, Hazel now works principally as a recitalist and in chamber ensembles including Duo Dorado, the Brook Street Band and the Sweelinck Ensemble.  Recital venues have ranged from the South Bank Centre in London to the Barcelona Early Music Festival. Hazel is frequently asked to lead orchestras and enjoys appearing as a concerto soloist.

Hazel also has an interest in unusual instruments and her recitals often include the viola d’amore. She is much in demand as a medieval-fiddle specialist throughout Europe and America, and has released recordings with the Boston Camerata, USA (Warner Classics) and duo Trobairitz (Hyperion). She is currently involved in a project combining Western and Moroccan musicians. Hazel has taught at the Guildhall and Trinity College of Music.