Isla String Quartet

Tillett Debut Artists 2025

The Isla String Quartet gained international recognition when they won First Prize, the Audience Prize, and a Special Prize for the best interpretation of a Haydn Quartet at the 2nd International String Quartet Competition in Bad Tölz in April 2026. As Tillett Debut Artists 2025-27, the Isla String Quartet are performing in venues across the UK including Conway Hall, Kings Place and Hexham Abbey. They were recently selected for the Tunnell Trust Music Club Award Scheme and are looking forward to their Scotland concert tour in 2027. Other competition success includes First Prize at both the Royal College of Music Quartet Competition 2025 and the inaugural Royal Academy of Music Nina Drucker Haydn String Quartet Competition 2024.

Notable collaborations include performing Mozart’s B-flat major String Quintet with renowned violist and composer Brett Dean at the Calne Music and Arts Festival 2024, and Brahms’ Piano Quintet with Ryan Wigglesworth at Smith Square Hall. As Britten Pears Young Artists 2023-24, they gave a lunchtime recital at Aldeburgh Jubilee Hall at the end of their Chamber Music Residency, receiving coaching from Alasdair Beatson. They gave the European premiere of Paola Prestini’s ‘The Red Book’ at the Virtuoso&Belcanto Festival 2025.

The Isla String Quartet formed at the Royal Academy of Music, and are grateful for the continued mentorship and guidance from John Myerscough (Doric String Quartet), and Bryony Gibson-Cornish and Sineád O’Halloran (Marmen Quartet). They have also had coaching with chamber music specialists such as Corina Belcea, Ying Xue, Catherine Manson, Alina Ibragimova and the Ébène Quartet, and have attended festivals including Virtuoso & Belcanto and Schiermonnikoog, learning with Heime Müller, Luc-Marie Aguera, Adrian Brendel and Marc Danel.

Future engagements include the String Quartet Biennale Amsterdam in 2028, Oberstdofer Musiksommer 2027, and the Bad Tölz Winners’ Summit in 2027. They also look forward to the Tillett Trust Showcase at Kings Place, London, in November 2026.