Simon Baggs, Leader

Simon has had the pleasure of leading the Chameleon Arts Orchestra for over twenty years and has appeared as Guest Principal with many of the U.K.'s leading symphony and chamber orchestras. He has recorded solo and chamber works for various labels and toured in over 40 countries.

As a conductor, Simon has worked with the Chameleon Arts Orchestra, the St. George's Chamber Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at Abbey Road Studios for Audio Network and at the Alfriston, Battle and Thaxted Festivals.

As an Elgar specialist, Simon has conducted his own arrangements and orchestrations of Elgar's music. He has appeared as guest speaker for the Elgar Society, Elgar Birthplace Museum, Westminster Music Library and has broadcast for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Miranda Allen, Co-Leader

Miranda is an experienced orchestral violinist, having played for orchestras, chamber ensembles, and recording sessions across the UK, Europe, and Worldwide. Major tours have included all the Star Wars and Sting tours as sub-principal 1st with the RPCO.

Miranda has played with BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, English Chamber Orchestra, City of London Sinfonia, Opera Gala (guest Leader), Opera Project (guest Principal), Wizard of Oz, and English Session Orchestra.

For over twelve years, Miranda was a tutor for National Children's Chamber Orchestra and Musicale Summer School Courses. She has also been involved with education projects with ENO, BBC Concert Orchestra, City of London Sinfonia, LSO Discovery and RPO.

Christian Halstead Co-Leader

Christian started learning the violin with his mother at the age of five. He studied at the Royal College of Music, where he won several prizes. 

Christian has enjoyed a busy and varied career as a freelance violinist, working with ensembles such as London Mozart Players, St. Paul's Sinfonia, City Chamber Orchestra, 18th Century Concert Orchestra, Ex Cathedra, and Orpheus Sinfonia.

Christian was a founder member of the Southbank Sinfonia in 2002-3; he is also leader of the orchestra for Surrey Opera, and Kent Sinfonia. He also leads the Royal Orchestral Society, the Whitehall Orchestra, and guest-leads the Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra and Westminster Philharmonic Orchestra.

Rebekah Allan, Co-Leader

Rebekah studied at Trinity College of Music where she won solo, duo and string quartet prizes including the 2000 Silver Prize for Strings and a scholarship to continue her violin studies at The Royal Conservatory, Den Haag.

Rebekah’s freelance work includes Orchestra of the Swan, English Chamber Orchestra, Rambert Dance Company, English Touring Opera, National Theatre and the Heritage Orchestra. She tours internationally with the world-renowned Hofesh Shechter Dance Company.

Recent sessions have been for Rag n Bone Man (BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge), Emeli Sandé, Rebecca Ferguson, and Marina and the Diamonds, as well as numerous film scores.

Rebekah’s concerto performances have included Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante and violin concertos by Brahms, Beethoven and Mendelssohn.