We are delighted to hear that our alumna, Laura van der Heijden (m. 2016), has just received the Royal Philharmonic Society's Instrumentalist Award. This recognizes the 'outstanding quality and scope' of her performances as a cellist within the UK.
The judges' citation reads:
'In everything she does, cellist Laura van der Heijden embodies excellence and integrity, fulfilled with heart. You’ll hear it in her superb concerto debut disc and the luminous Path to the Moon she recorded for Chandos this year. It’s in her boundless collaborations with Kaleidoscope Chamber Collective and as a Kings Place Artist in Focus. It radiated at the BBC Proms in Cheryl Frances-Hoad’s Earth, Sea and Air written specially for Laura, showcasing an artist truly in her prime.'
Congratulations to Laura, and to all the winners and nominees at the RPS Awards 2025.