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Gareth Hanson has been described as “a bright young talent and an inspired musician” and has enjoyed performing ever since he began playing the flute aged 8. He was fortunate to gain extensive performing experience as a schoolboy in countless concerts and tours across Europe as principal flute of the Leicestershire Schools’ Symphony Orchestra, including frequent collaboration with the Philharmonia Orchestra as part of community education projects.

Gareth entered the Royal Academy of Music in 2001, studying on the BMus performance degree course under the tutelage of Jaime Martìn, Michael Cox, Clare Southworth and Karen Jones. Whilst at the Academy, Gareth was winner of the All Flutes Plus Prize, the Nicholas Blake Prize for chamber music, and was awarded the Helen Read Prize for musical excellence upon graduating in 2005 with First Class honours.

As a soloist, Gareth has received great acclaim in international competitions and festivals, winning the only English annual flute prize, the Albert Cooper Competition, in 2002. His concerto début, performing J.S. Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No.4 alongside Michael Cox at St. John’s, Smith Square, was given to great critical acclaim. More recently, as prize-winner of the Martin Musical & Philharmonia Scholarship Fund, Gareth made his South Bank début giving a solo recital at the Queen Elizabeth Hall. He has also given recitals in concert series at the English Music Festival, Senate House and Westminster Cathedral, among others. He was awarded a Performance Diploma in 2004 by Patrick Gallois at the Accademia Chigiana in Siena, Italy, for his solo performances as part of the summer festival.

Gareth also enjoys an extensive orchestral career, performing regularly with orchestras such as the National Symphony Orchestra, Southbank Sinfonia, Guildford Philharmonic, Britten Pears Orchestra, Young Musicians’ Symphony Orchestra,  Kentish Opera and London Soloists. He was fortunate to work with conductors such as Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, Tadaaki Otaka and Vernon Handley whilst studying at the Academy, participating in various side-by-side performances with professional London orchestras, including a performance of Arvo Pärt’s Marsyas in collaboration with the London Sinfonietta and Hélène Grimaud at the Tate Modern. Having been awarded a scholarship to study in the USA during 2006, Gareth was principal flute of the New England Conservatory Symphony Orchestra, performing in the renowned Jordan Hall under the former concert-master of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Joseph Silverstein.

Gareth has recently been awarded a full-time position with the Southbank Sinfonia, Britain's orchestra for young artists, for their 2007 season.