Adrian Sutcliffe

Adrian Sutcliffe studied at the Royal Academy of Music under Philip Jenkins, where he was a prizewinner in many solo piano competitions and was awarded the Frances Earle Scholarship for piano playing. Since leaving the Academy in 1987 he has become established as a highly successful freelance professional musician, performing at many hundreds of venues throughout the UK, including most of the larger concert halls (the South Bank, the Royal Albert Hall, St John’s Smith Square, Cardiff’s St. David’s Hall, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, Birmingham Hippodrome etc.). He has examined Grades and Diplomas all around the world for ABRSM, including Thailand, India, Africa, China, the Middle East, all over Europe and the USA. He is also a trainer for new examiners. His musical theatre experience has led him to play in West End Shows such as The Lion King and he has performed in many shows at the Royal Opera House in London. As a chamber musician he is much in demand – he has worked for 20 years with the unique flute, piano and percussion trio, Classic Rhythm, who have appeared at hundreds of venues in every corner of the UK as well as abroad. He recently recorded the piano parts for the official ABRSM CD of their new violin syllabus. Over Christmas 23-24 he played in the Nutcracker at Cambridge Corn Exchange. He works regularly as a Musical Director on shows and productions. Recent shows include The Railway Children, Seussical, Calendar Girls, The Jungle Book and A Little Night Music. As an instrumental and singing accompanist he is regularly called upon to play for recitals, exams and auditions of all types. Offering more than just first class accompanying, he is very happy to advise young players and to give the benefit of his experience, particularly with his own inside knowledge of the ABRSM system. As a repetiteur for opera, ballet and musical theatre he has worked with many top performers such as Darcey Bussell, Tamara Rojo, Carlos Acosta, Wayne Sleep and Leanne Cope, having played for the Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet, London Contemporary Dance, Rambert and many other leading companies. His compositions have been aired on BBC and Classic FM and his work has been performed at many theatres around the UK, including Sadlers Wells, Her Majesty’s Theatre and at theatres all over England, Scotland and Wales. He has his own dance music company (Danceinspire) and frequently arranges material for ensembles of varying sizes as well as bespoke backing tracks for many dance and theatrical productions. As a jazz player he is also comfortable playing for entertainment events of all types.