Iona Hassan
Originally from Aberdeenshire, Iona Hassan was involved in concerts throughout the local area from an early age and was a regular member of the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland, becoming their Principal Viola in 2000. Iona was a student at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow from 1996 where she studied with James Durrant and Cathy Marwood. Whilst at college Iona was a prize-winner in both the Watson Forbes Prize for Viola Players and the Mary D Adams Chamber Music Prize. During this time Iona enjoyed freelancing with many of Scotland's top orchestras including the Orchestra of Scottish Opera and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.
In 2002 Iona was appointed Principal Viola of the Southbank Sinfonia, based in London. During this time Iona performed in numerous chamber music and orchestral concerts around the country and abroad and also began studying with Philip Dukes.
Iona has freelanced regularly with orchestras around the UK including the BBC Philharmonic, Royal Philharmonic and English Symphony Orchestras and is regularly Principal Viola of the Bristol Ensemble and Southbank Strings. She is also the Artistic Director of the Auriga Strings.
Iona has run Super Strings East, based at Great Bedwyn School, and Super Strings Marlborough since 2008. She also helps to run White Horse Music, based in Woodborough, Wiltshire, which seeks to promote and encourage the performance of traditional music by people of all ages and abilities. Iona also runs the Junior String Scheme at Wells Cathedral School, Somerset, and has done since 2006. She teaches Violin, Viola and Chamber Music there.
In 2002 Iona was appointed Principal Viola of the Southbank Sinfonia, based in London. During this time Iona performed in numerous chamber music and orchestral concerts around the country and abroad and also began studying with Philip Dukes.
Iona has freelanced regularly with orchestras around the UK including the BBC Philharmonic, Royal Philharmonic and English Symphony Orchestras and is regularly Principal Viola of the Bristol Ensemble and Southbank Strings. She is also the Artistic Director of the Auriga Strings.
Iona has run Super Strings East, based at Great Bedwyn School, and Super Strings Marlborough since 2008. She also helps to run White Horse Music, based in Woodborough, Wiltshire, which seeks to promote and encourage the performance of traditional music by people of all ages and abilities. Iona also runs the Junior String Scheme at Wells Cathedral School, Somerset, and has done since 2006. She teaches Violin, Viola and Chamber Music there.
