STUART KING
Clarinet, artistic director
STUART KING photo by Claire Shovelton
Stuart divides his time equally between performing and teaching. He has been Artistic Director of the chamber ensemble CHROMA since founding it in 1997. The ensemble, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, is a collective of more than 20 musicians that has carved a formidable reputation for its fresh approach to classic repertoire and championing contemporary music. Stuart has led the ensemble into lasting relationships, residencies and exciting associations with many internationally recognised organisations, festivals, composers and creative artists that embrace such diverse media as contemporary dance, fine art, opera, electronica, beatbox and film.
Stuart works with many other leading contemporary music ensembles, tours internationally and has premiered over a hundred specially written chamber works. Stuart is passionate about the CHROMA culture: a safe space for all artists to experiment, develop their creativity, nurture one another and communicate directly and authentically with our audiences. The same generosity of spirit and nurturing instinct forms the core of Stuart’s approach to teaching and mentoring; whether at primary, secondary or the next generation of musicians and composers at leading Universities and Conservatoires.
Stuart is Head of Woodwind and Percussion at Highgate School, London and is a regular guest artist working with students at the Royal Academy of Music, Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Drama, Royal Holloway, University of London and the University of Oxford. Stuart is also an ambassador for Baris Için Muzik, a music school in Istanbul that flourishes under the aegis of Europe. Stuart is a graduate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and Banff Centre for the Arts, Canada.