Jake began learning to play the ‘Cello at the unusually late age of 14, progressing swiftly from then on: he passed ABRSM Grade 8 with distinction only two and a half years after having started learning to play the instrument, and a year after that he received an offer to study ‘Cello at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. Jake is now in his final year reading Music at the Trinity College, Cambridge, studying ‘Cello privately with Gillian Thoday (Professor at the RNCM in Manchester and Chetham’s School of Music), having previously studied with Josephine Knight (Alfredo Piatti Chair of ‘Cello at the Royal Academy of Music, London). Jake has also received coaching from highly esteemed ‘Cellists such as Hannah Roberts (RNCM professor and soloist), and David Waterman (‘Cellist in the world-renowned Endellion String Quartet). Jake is a keen orchestral player who is heavily involved with the Cambridge University Music Society (CUMS): he is a former principal 'Cello of CUMS Concert Orchestra, and is the current no.3 ‘Cello in the Cambridge University Chamber Orchestra, having previously held chairs in CUMS Symphony Orchestra. Jake is also a former principal ‘Cello of the National Youth Chamber Orchestra of Great Britain, as well as a former co-principal ‘Cello of the Bristol Schools’ Philharmonia Orchestra. He has also played ‘Cello in the London-based Aleph Chamber Orchestra - directed by members of the London Symphony Orchestra. Solo appearances include John Tavener’s Eternal Memory with the Bristol Ensemble, and Bruch’s Kol Nidrei with the Thornbury Orchestra. Jake plays on a 2005 ‘Cello (based on a model by 17th-Century Milanese maker, Carlo Testore) made by Somerset-based luthier Tony Padday.