Ruth Owens

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The Orchestra

Ruth Owens

Cello

Originally from Preston, Ruth Owens began playing the cello at the age of 8 after hearing a student play in a concert at the secondary school, where her mum taught music. Ruth loved the sound and asked her primary school if she could start playing the cello. Having been told she was too young, Ruth waited patiently for a year until she was allowed to take home a half-size school instrument.

Growing up, Ruth also enjoyed playing the trombone and clarinet at school and in local bands. Playing cello in Lancashire County Youth Orchestra under Malcolm Doley was her passion. Alongside this, Ruth was a keen singer and chorister in the local church choir and in 1989 came second in the National Choirgirl of the Year competition.

Ruth had cello lessons with the local peripatetic teacher through Lancashire Music Service until at the age of 15, she won a County Award which enabled her to have lessons with Sharon Costello – Associate Principal Cello, Hallé Orchestra. She then further continued her studies at the Royal Northern College of Music under Hannah Roberts.

Whilst an undergraduate at the RNCM, Ruth was offered a place on the BBC Philharmonic ‘Professional Access Scheme’, which enabled her to gain invaluable experience of life in a professional orchestra. This certainly gave Ruth the thirst for orchestral playing and after graduating, she spent 5 years regularly freelancing with the Hallé, BBC Philharmonic and Manchester Camerata before joining the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in March 2004.

Ruth was full time in the Orchestra for over 8 years before going job share, which allows her some flexibility to look after her 2 extremely active young sons.

Fun Fact:
Ruth values the importance of fitness and outside the Orchestra is a Swim England qualified swimming teacher. As well as swimming coaching, Ruth also enjoys travelling the North West as a British Swimming Licenced Swimming Official.

Quote:
‘I absolutely adore playing in our cello section & feel extremely fortunate to have spent the last 20 years playing within the orchestra that I grew up watching at Preston Guild Hall! It’s hard to pick a stand out moment but I always love playing at the BBC Proms- there is something special and unique about the history and atmosphere of the Royal Albert Hall.’