Sarah McMahon

Cello

Sarah McMahon began her cello studies with Nora Gilleece at the Royal Irish Academy of Music in Dublin. In 1995 she was awarded a place at the Royal Academy of Music in London where she studied with David Strange, Jenny Ward-Clarke and Colin Carr. She has also had masterclasses from Steven Isserlis, Christophe Coin, Steven Doane, Miklos Perenyi and William Pleeth. While a student at the Academy she performed as soloist with the period instrument baroque orchestra under the direction of Monica Huggett and Lucy van Dael. She was also principal cellist with the soloist's ensemble, directed by Clio Gould with whom she made her Wigmore Hall debut.

Sarah performs regularly both as soloist and chamber musician throughout Britain and Ireland. Her most recent solo performances include performances of the Brahms double concerto in St. John's Smith Square and Haydn C major cello concerto at the National Concert Hall in Dublin. She is a former member of the European Union Youth Orchestra and has also worked with the Philharmonia, the London Symphony Orchestra and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment.

In addition to her commitments with her string quartet (the Callino Quartet), Sarah takes a keen interest in historical performance and works regularly as principal cellist with the King's Consort, Gabrieli Consort and the Academy of Ancient Music. She recently featured as soloist in a critically acclaimed disc of Vivaldi with La Serenissima and forthcoming releases include a disc of the concerto for violin, cello and organ by Vivaldi with La Serenissima and of the Vivaldi double cello concerto with the King's Consort.