Fionnar

We are Fionnar, a flute and violin duo based in Edinburgh featuring flautist Megan Porter and violinist Sophie Cushnie. Megan and Sophie first met in the Music Department of Edinburgh Napier University in 2017 and have played together in a variety of ensembles since. Fionnar, pronounced f-yin-ar, comes from Scottish Gaelic, meaning cool, crisp and fresh. The duo’s repertoire contains a variety of music from Classical to Pop and Film/TV to Traditional Scottish. Megan is a first study flautist with a First-Class Bachelor of Music with Honours from Edinburgh Napier University. She has performed for a number of large audiences both as a solo performer and as part of a variety of orchestras and ensembles, in venues such as the Usher Hall, Stockbridge Parish Church and St Giles Cathedral. She has an enthusiasm for new music and has premiered a number of new compositions. Performance highlights include; performing as the soloist for Mozart’s G major concerto with the Edinburgh Napier Chamber Orchestra, premiering Song of Songs by Kenneth Dempster at the Usher Hall and premiering a cello and bass flute duet by Katrina Burton. This year she is also premiering a brand new piece at Ronchamp chapel, France. Out with flute playing some of Megan’s other interests include reading and rock climbing. Growing up in the Highlands of Scotland, Sophie has been playing the violin since the age of nine. She has performed in a variety of ensembles nationally, including the Highland Regional Youth Orchestra, the Highland Chamber Orchestra, The Mahler Players and the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland. Sophie studied under Simon Rawson at Edinburgh Napier University where she gained a First-Class Bachelor of Music with Honours and was awarded the 2021 cohort class medal for musical excellence. During her time at university, Sophie enjoyed a number of performance opportunities. She was chosen to perform at the University Graduation Ceremonies at the Usher Hall and performed in the world premiere of ‘Shocks’, a multi-disciplinary collaboration composed by Kenneth Dempster. Sophie undertook a public recital with the Scottish Arts Club through its Napier Notes series and served as Leader, Secretary and President of the Edinburgh Napier Chamber Orchestra. When Sophie isn’t playing her violin, she enjoys exploring Edinburgh’s outdoor environment, experimenting in the kitchen and spending time with friends and family.