KNIGHTON AND DISTRICT CONCERT SOCIETY

Amy Butler Biography

Yorkshire-based pianist Amy Butler studied with British concert pianist Martin Roscoe and gained a first class Master's degree from the University of Oxford.

Amy has a particular passion for chamber music and especially enjoys working collaboratively with other musicians. She regularly performs as a duo with award-winning artists including violinist Katy Smith, cellist Katharine Ley and flautist Chris Hill. She also comprises one half of the Luna Piano Duo, alongside pianist Graziana Presicce, and one quarter of the Dash Quartet.

Amy enjoys performing a wide and varied repertoire – from well-known masterworks by composers including Beethoven, Elgar, Brahms, Schubert, Grieg, Mozart, Prokofiev and Ravel, to new works by contemporary composers.

Amy and Katy regularly perform together throughout the UK with recent highlights including Grimsby Concert Society, Balliol College, Oxford, Bournville Lunchtime Concerts and Boston Music Society.

www.amybutlerpiano.com

Katy Smith violin

Katy Smith is a celebrated solo violinist whose artistry captivates audiences across the UK and beyond. Known for her expressive interpretations, technical precision, and a profound connection to her instrument, Katy’s performances resonate with deep emotion and musical insight.

Katy has a deep passion for the development of the violin bow and its impact on her interpretation of different repertoire. Her personal affinity for bows, inspired by her own physical challenges with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, has uniquely shaped her playing and interpretation. Katy’s passion for exploring how different bows influence sound and style has made her a distinctive voice in classical music, with one reviewer noting the “layers of emotion” and “romantic energy” her approach brings to her performances.

In 2024, Katy gave a performance of Elgar’s Violin Concerto with the Hertfordshire Philharmonia Orchestra, using Elgar’s own bow. This unforgettable concert received high praise from the Elgar Society, who commended her emotive interpretation and full command of the piece.

Katy recently formed a duo partnership with pianist Amy Butler, whose debut recital was met with glowing acclaim. A critic praised their “synergistic” performance of a Ravel-themed programme highlighting Katy’s “ardent bowing and deft fingerwork” alongside Amy’s “exemplary and responsive” playing. Their sensitive collaboration shone in works such as The Lark Ascending and Ravel’s Tzigane, with one reviewer remarking, “this performance was as good as it gets!”

Katy’s career highlights include solo appearances with numerous orchestras across the UK and abroad, including a last-minute tour to Prague performing Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto twice in one day. In 2023, she arranged and directed Tartini’s Devil’s Trill Sonata and Vivaldi’s Four Seasons for string orchestra and harpsichord at Oxford’s Sheldonian Theatre. She has also been a featured soloist at the Battle Proms, performing to audiences of up to 10,000, and was invited back multiple times as their favourite soloist.

A graduate of the Yehudi Menuhin School, the Royal College of Music, and the Royal Academy of Music, Katy studied with Berent Korfker and György Pauk. She has won numerous competitions, including the Eastbourne International Young Soloist Competition, and was a strings finalist in the BBC Young Musician of the Year.

Katy is also an advocate for musicians with disabilities, sharing her journey with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome on social media to inspire others.

Katy now performs on a fine 18th-century English violin made by Daniel Parker and is generously sponsored by Pirastro.