William Dutton asked to play the violin aged three and began taking lessons when he was 4. In 2004 his talent was recognised by the Kazakh virtuoso Marat Bisengaliev; he subsequently studied with Marat and his wife Vassilia and then with Raimonda Koço in Leeds. William currently plays on a 1731 Cremonese violin very kindly on loan to him by Jonathan Sparey. The violin was previously owned by the late Michael Rabin.

Richard Uttley has been recognised for his ‘musical intelligence and pristine facility’ (International Record Review) and featured as a Rising Star in BBC Music Magazine. His 2010 London début, in the Southbank Centre’s Purcell Room, was described by The Times as ‘a brilliant recital’.