Richard Beards

Richard began taking bassoon lessons in 2000 before moving from Wolverhampton to Manchester in 2002 to study with Ed Warren at the RNCM. During his undergraduate course at the college he received tuition from Graham Salvage, Laurence Perkins and Meyrick Alexander, as well as several visiting international artists such as Stefano Canuti. Following a few years away from playing, Richard successfully reapplied to the RNCM for a place on the MMus course, where he studied as a recipient of the Ann Gerrard Bursary. Richard has performed in a variety of venues around the North of England. Richard has appeared regularly over the last two years as a freelance bassoonist and contrabassoonist, performing with the BBC Philharmonic, the Hallé, Manchester Camerata and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic.