Athena Octavia

Athena has recently graduated from the Royal Academy of Music with a distinction in her Violin Performance MA. The previous year, she graduated from the University of Oxford with a first-class degree in music and the highest mark in performance across her year. Athena began playing the violin and piano since the ages of 5 and 6, and joined the Royal College of Music Junior Department at the age of 9. Excelling in both piano and violin, she was invited to become joint first study, and won prizes in violin, piano and music theory, both at the RCM and from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. In addition, she was awarded Kingston Young Musician of the Year and Richmond Young pianist of the Year and distinction in both violin and piano dipABRSM diplomas. During this time she was a member of the National Children’s Orchestra and subsequently the National Youth Orchestra where she co-led. She has performed solo violin at the Elgar Room, Albert Hall, solo piano, violin and chamber music at the Wigmore Hall, and as part of a group in Buckingham Palace Gardens for the Queen's Coronation Festival, at Clarence House for the Duchess of Cornwall, and at the House of Lords. Last year, Athena and a fellow student at Oxford took on the exciting project of performing the complete cycle of Beethoven’s violin sonatas in a series of concerts in the Holywell Music Room. This led to them playing and being interviewed on BBC Radio 3 for ‘In tune’. As well as being classically trained Athena is interested in listening to and performing many different genres of music. She is a member of a four-piece country-pop band, Iris and Steel, who write original songs. Athena is a skilled improviser in many styles from country to pop to jazz, having studied improvisation at the Royal College for 5 years. She can perform on both acoustic and electric violin, piano and keyboard. Athena is able to provide a performance tailored to the client's needs at weddings, corporate events, or private functions, as well as being available for music videos and session work. She is very happy to accommodate requests for specific pieces.