Melinda Blackman and James Greenfield

Melinda studied music at King’s College London and the violin at the Royal Academy of Music with Susan Collier. James studied the cello at the Royal College of Music and Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music. 

They both enjoy varied careers as performers and teachers and have performed many times together. Their duo work includes recordings, weddings and concerts. As part of the Ariori string quartet they regularly perform for Fever Candlelight Concerts in Colchester, Ipswich and Brentwood. They have also regularly worked on the television programme Dave Gorman’s 'Modern Life is Goodish' with the Billroth Ensemble and have played for recordings and performances with Rick Wakeman, The Puppini Sisters and X factor. 

Together Melinda and James co-founded the Play Strings Academy; a music school in Colchester specialising in teaching children and adults string instruments with a particular focus on developing chamber music skills. The Play Strings orchestra have toured Europe multiple times to perform in venues across England, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. 

When they are not performing or teaching Melinda and James enjoy spending time with their two boys Leo and Oliver, ages 4 and 2.