Nick Bryant
I’ve been with Collaborative Orchestra from the very beginning, when I joined my first rehearsal over four years ago, there were only eight of us! We rehearse almost every week and our orchestra feels like family.
My day job is a client manager for a small investor relations consultancy based in London. I started playing piano when I was four and later took up the violin. I have passed Grade 8 piano and Grade 7 Viola. You can usually find me in the viola section, but recently I was asked to give the piano a go! Music is my stress reliever and keeps me sane!
About three years ago a routine operation on my shoulder went wrong and left my right hand paralysed for over a month. I was worried I wouldn’t play again and since its recovery I’ve been playing more music than ever before. I now plan to re-train as a music producer to be able to write, perform and produce music in future.
I also play viola for the Collaborative Quartet for weddings and celebrations.
Natasha Cheng
Having indulged in the world of music for over 18 years, Hong Kong-born Natasha Cheng is both an accomplished violist and violinist, and has recently completed a MMus in performance at Royal Holloway, University of London.
With over 17 years of orchestral experience, Natasha has travelled to different countries including Vienna, Aberdeen and Shanghai, where she took part in masterclasses with influential performers. She has also given many solo recitals as a student. Natasha has won several awards including first place in the Oxford Music Festival, and has been praised for outstanding achievements in viola performance. Recently she had performed “The Lark Ascending” on the violin with the Hong Kong Chordophonia and performed as both a soloist and chamber musician in the British Isles Music Festival. Natasha currently performs with the Collaborative Orchestra, and is also a freelance performer and instrumental teacher.
Melinda Kiss
Melinda E Kiss is a Hungarian viola player who has lived in the UK since 2004. She graduated in 2010 from Middlesex University, London, with a degree in music performance, and now teaches children violin and ukulele while occasionally performing at weddings or local pop concerts. She has been a member of the orchestra for three years.