Described as “music through and through”, Humberside-born Thomas Bertolotti is an award-winning cellist, headlining a new generation of exciting young cellists.
Currently studying for an MA degree at the Royal Academy of Music, Thomas began playing at the age of eight. By the age of 15, he was awarded a highly sought-after scholarship to study at the Junior Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester, during which time he was awarded the Ida Carroll award for Merit, alongside an award for outstanding chamber music playing with his acclaimed cello quartet. During his time there he participated in a large range of events including performing Kol Nidrei with the JRNCM Chamber Orchestra, and reaching the Pro Corda Chamber Music Competition Finals two years in a row. He entered the Royal Academy of Music in September 2011 on a full scholarship, supported by the Albert and Eugenie Frost Trust, and commenced his studies in the distinguished class of Josephine Knight, Alfredo Piatti Chair of Cello. On commencement of his Masters, he moved into the prestigious class of Christoph Richter.
Aged just 19, Thomas made his professional concerto debut with orchestra performing the Elgar Cello Concerto with the Hull Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Andrew Penny MBE. He has also performed in the premiere series of the opera "Manga Sister" by Harry Blake. Thomas performs as a duo with Daniela Rodo Aranda and together reached the final of the Royal Academy of Music Brahms Competition. In his third year at the Royal Academy, he received a diploma from Stockholm International Music Competition.
As a chamber musician Thomas is currently a member of the Gilbert Trio, a flute, cello and piano trio who have been selected to perform in the Academy's Thursday Lunchtime Concert series in February this year. Thomas has recently begun working with Audeat Camerata, run by Gustavo Ubeda, incorporating solo, chamber and orchestral performances. As an orchestral musician, Thomas is vastly experienced, having performed in a number of exciting student orchestras and professional session orchestras, covering most of the orchestral canon. Thomas has performed as co-principal with Canterbury Philharmonic Orhcestra as well as performing as principal cellist in several student orchestras including MHS Orchestra and Hornton Chamber orchestra. He has performed under the baton of some of the best conductors in the world including Semyon Bychkov, Mark Elder, Ed Gardiner, Vasily Petrenko, Paul Daniel, Peter Robinson, and Trevor Pinnock in varied programmes in the Royal Academy's symphony orchestra, concert orchestra and Royal Academy Sinfonia.
Thomas has had lessons with internationally renowned cellists including Raphael Wallfisch, Sung Won Yang, Christoph Richter, Colin Carr, Jo Cole, Sebastian Comberti, Mario Brunello and Hannah Roberts.
He has received chamber coaching from James Sleigh, Josephine Knight, Andrew West, John Reid, Diana Ketler, Tatiana Sarkissova and Trio Owon.
In his final year of undergraduate in Academy Thomas has performed as Principal Cellist in the Royal Academy of Music Sinfonia, in a performance of a Puccini Double bill.
