A recipient of the Trinity Laban Cassal Prize for Woodwind, Ricky is an interdisciplinary musician who graduated from King’s College London with First Class Honours in Music, where he was the Trendell Memorial Choral Scholar and elected an Associate of the College.
Ricky was first formally introduced to music studies at the age of 10 studying piano at The Blackheath Conservatoire. He later furthered his studies at The Mick Jagger Centre studying piano with Mark Andrew (formerly with John Hayward). At age 13, he started studying the flute under Alan Simpson, soon making a number of successful competitive music festival appearances.
He was later awarded a scholarship to study at Junior Trinity, studying piano with Peter Arnold and flute with Thea Cramp. Ricky was subsequently selected to play with the English Schools’ Orchestra and the National Youth Concert Band of Great Britain, making appearances at the Royal Festival Hall, St John’s Smith Square, Blackheath Halls, and the Royal Albert Hall.
Ricky graduated with First Class Honours in Music from King’s College London and was recently elected an Associate of the College. He studied flute at the Royal Academy of Music under the tutelage of Laura Jellicoe, Anna Noakes, and Lucy Driver. Whilst at King’s, he sang with the college choir as the Trendell Memorial Choral Scholar and founded the university’s music society, serving as their inaugural president.
“A much-recognised musician excelling in piano, flute and general musicianship playing at a number of prestigious venues, as well as encouraging others to take up a musical instrument.”
Spirit of Try Angle Awards 2018 Judging Panel
A recipient of the 2018 Spirit of Try Angle Award, Ricky has performed in masterclasses on solo flute, voice, and piano with Karen Jones, Lisa Nelsen, Rachael Lloyd, David Hurley and Kate Halsall, and in workshops with Hazel Fanning and Anne Chmelewsky. As an interdisciplinary musician and academic, he puts these skills gained to great use as a collaborative performing artist, accompanist, composer, music writer and educator.
He is based in London and Kent, where he combines his teaching studio with regular freelance performance and deputising engagements. Ricky is also Assistant Director of Music at Brixton Unitarians, where he holds responsibility for the musical life of the church and curates an emerging concert series. He is also a passionate advocate for musicians’ rights and accessibility in the arts sector and besides music, enjoys TfL chinwags.
The generous support given by the following institutions, charities and trusts is very much appreciated:
- Kent and Medway Young Musicians’ Trust; currently of which I am now their youngest and inaugural Ambassador read more
- London Philharmonic Orchestra
- The Potential Trust
- The Rodolfus Foundation Bursary Fund
- Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance
- Universal Music UK Sound Foundation
RICKY TAING 