Philip Heyman
Strings

Philip gave his concerto debut aged eleven, and went on to study at the Royal College of Music, winning three major viola prizes. After graduation he was immediately offered a permanent post with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and then moved to English National Opera as Sub-Principal Viola.

In 1998 he took up his current position as Principal Viola for Welsh National Opera, where he has already performed several major orchestral solos, some on radio and television. He has been invited as guest Principal with many national orchestras and groups including CBSO, RPO, BSO and RLPO.

As a member of the viola/piano duo ’Altitude’ he continues to give solo recitals, and teaches at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama and Cardiff University. He is a member of the Athena string quartet and the WNO flute, viola & harp ensemble, also giving duo recitals with Harpist Katherine Thomas.

Seven years ago, Philip became the owner of Europe’s first Pellegrina pomposa model viola; an instrument he considers to be a significant innovation in string design and which he feels privileged to champion.