Ricky Taing

Ricky was first formally introduced to music studies at the age of 10 studying piano at The Blackheath Conservatoire. He later furthered his studies at The Mick Jagger Centre studying piano with Mark Andrew (formerly with John Hayward). At age 13, he started studying the flute under Alan Simpson, soon making a number of successful competitive music festival appearances. He was later awarded a scholarship to study at Junior Trinity, studying piano with Peter Arnold and flute with Thea Cramp. Ricky was subsequently selected to play with the English Schools’ Orchestra and the National Youth Concert Band of Great Britain, making appearances at the Royal Festival Hall, St John’s Smith Square, Blackheath Halls, and the Royal Albert Hall. He then studied flute with Laura Jellicoe, Anna Noakes and Lucy Driver at the Royal Academy of Music, and was concurrently the Trendell Memorial Choral Scholar studying voice with Robert Rice, graduating from King's College London with First Class Honours and an Associateship from the College. Recent solo performance engagements have included a specially curated programme of works for flute and piano by women composers alongside pianist Mark Bromley, presenting works by Preusen, Bonis and Arrieu for the Canterbury Music Club 2024 season, at the Colyer-Fergusson Hall in Kent. A recipient of the 2018 Spirit of Try Angle Award, Ricky has performed in masterclasses on solo flute, voice, and piano with Karen Jones, Lisa Nelsen, Rachael Lloyd, David Hurley and Kate Halsall, and in workshops with Hazel Fanning and Anne Chmelewsky. As an interdisciplinary musician and academic, he puts these skills gained to great use as a collaborative performing artist, accompanist, composer, music writer and educator. He is based in London and Kent, where he combines his teaching studio with regular freelance performance and deputising engagements. Ricky is also Assistant Director of Music at Brixton Unitarians, where he holds responsibility for the musical life of the church and curates an emerging concert series. He is also a passionate advocate for musicians’ rights and accessibility in the arts sector and besides music, enjoys TfL chinwags.