ADRIAN SUTCLIFFE

Adrian Sutcliffe studied at the Royal Academy of Music under Philip Jenkins, where he was a prizewinner in many solo piano competitions and was awarded the Frances Earle Scholarship for piano playing. Since leaving the Academy in 1987 he has become established as a highly successful freelance professional musician, performing at many hundreds of venues throughout the UK, including most of the major concert halls (South Bank, Royal Albert Hall, St John’s Smith Square, Cardiff’s St. David’s Hall, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, Birmingham Hippodrome etc.). He has performed at the BBC Proms and takes on solo and concerto work as well as working regularly as an accompanist and Musical Director. He has also worked extensively abroad, including Thailand, India, Africa, China, the Middle and Far East, New Zealand and all over Europe and the USA.

His musical theatre experience includes playing in West End Shows such as The Lion King and in many productions at the Royal Opera House in London, eg ‘The Wind In The Willows’ and ‘Timecode’, as well as in the follow-up UK tours. As an MD he has directed several shows, including ‘The Railway Children’, ‘Seussical’, ‘The Jungle Book’ and ‘Calendar Girls’. He was also MD for two albums for the well known singing duo ‘Classical Reflection’ and more recently for a Pirates of Penzance promotional video in London as well as MDing for Patti Boulaye’s solo UK tour.

As an examiner and trainer for ABRSM, he has examined Classical and Jazz Grades and Diplomas all around the world. He has also given masterclasses and adjudicated widely in music competitions, from East London to Brussels to Bangkok.

As a chamber musician he has worked for 25 years with the unique flute, piano and percussion trio, Classic Rhythm, who have appeared at hundreds of festivals, concert halls and theatres in every corner of the UK and abroad. The trio has broadcast live on BBC and Classic FM Radio, has released 3 commercial CDs and has toured extensively in Wales, Scotland and Ireland.

As an instrumental and singing accompanist he regularly plays for recitals and auditions of all types. His recent accompanying work includes recording the piano parts for the official CD of the new ABRSM violin syllabus. As a strong reader and improviser, he frequently plays for show auditions.

In the field of opera, ballet and musical theatre he has worked with many top performers such as Darcey Bussell, Tamara Rojo, Carlos Acosta, Wayne Sleep and Leanne Cope, having played many times for the Royal Ballet Company, as well as for Birmingham Royal Ballet, London Contemporary Dance, Rambert and many other leading companies. He also plays for major dance events such as the Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition.

His compositions have been aired on BBC and Classic FM and his work has been performed at many theatres around the UK, including Sadlers Wells, Her Majesty’s Theatre and at venues all over England, Scotland and Wales. He has his own dance music company and frequently arranges material for ensembles of varying sizes. Experienced with software such as Logic and MainStage, he has also created many bespoke tracks for dance and theatrical productions.