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Mezzo Soprano : Maria Heseltine graduated from De Montfort University, Leicester, with an Honours Degree in Fine Art. She then worked at the Verrochio Centre of Art in Casole d'Elsa, Italy, where she saw a local girl give a recital of Puccini arias and felt compelled to learn the craft as a result. After returning to England Maria embarked on some interesting vocations including working for The Guardian newspaper, modelling for Eduardo Paolozzi and performing in a Peter Greenaway installation at the Hayward Gallery. Meanwhile, she took singing lessons with Peter Medhurst, later applying to Trinity College of Music where she recently completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Vocal Performance as well as a Licentiate (LTCL) to support her work as a singing teacher. While at Trinity Maria studied under the tutelage of Teresa Cahill and Robert Aldwinkle. Her roles studied on the Opera Scenes course included Dryad in Ariadne by Strauss, 3rd Nymph in Rusalka by Dvorak, Laura in Iolanthe by Tchaikovsky, Annio in La Clemency de Tito and Dorabella in Così Fan Tutti, both by Mozart. She also sang the part of Hansel in The Runaway Opera's production of Hansel and Gretel, by Humperdinck. Since moving to Cornwall Maria has enjoyed working with composer Douglas Cook, performing with the Aston String Quartet and singing film soundtracks for artist Andrew Lanyon. Maria teaches Music, Art and Design Technology as supply at Mounts Bay School, and the number of her private singing and piano pupils is growing steadily. Maria lives in Penzance with her husband and two children

Douglas Cook was born in West Ham, London in 1930, studied piano at the James Ching Piano School, Manchester, during the late 40's and after National Service in Egypt, music at Bretton Hall and composition with composer Anthony Milner. Largely self taught as a composer he soon realised that the avant garde held no appeal and that his natural inclination was to develop a personal style based on melody, harmony and rhythmic interest. Much influenced by the mainstream 20th century English school including Vaughan Williams, Holst, Walton, Tippett and Britten as well as Early Music and modern French and Russian composers. His work includes a number of pieces for solo piano, flute & piano and various other instrumental combinations, choral works and songs, the Concertino for Cello and String Orchestra, Suite for Brass Quintet, 8 Variations for Recorder Consort, incidental music for stage, film and television. Douglas moved from London to Cornwall in 1958 and has been fortunate since then to live in the extraordinary part of Cornwall known as West Penwith. Most of his music has been written there and it is tempting to believe that the surrounding landscapes of moor and sea have in some way influenced the character of what he writes, but if that is so it has not been a conscious pursuit. The music usually seems to have its own inner logic and momentum, which he attempts to follow and capture.

Cellist : Sarah Glayzer began her musical career playing in various orchestras and ensembles connected to the High Wycombe Music Centre, including a recorder and crumhorn group. In her youth she played with assorted choirs and orchestras performing at a variety of professional venues including the Royal Albert Hall, the Purcell Room, and the Millennium Dome. Whilst at the University of York Sarah performed with the Baroque Ensemble, The University Symphony Orchestra, and worked as a singer performing her own material, which was featured on York TV. Since moving to Cornwall Sarah has led the cello section in the first ever Cornish musical Turning of the Tide staged at the Hall for Cornwall and joined the St Mewan Sinfonia. Sarah also the sings for and leads the jazz, blues and funk band Miss Scarlet and the Candlesticks.

Elizabeth Gregg started playing the violin at the age of 9 and took up the viola at 16. She continued to play throughout a varied career which covered almost every area except music! Since moving to Cornwall in 1982, Elizabeth has played the viola with several local orchestras and is now secretary of the Penzance Orchestral Society. She performed the Telemann Concerto in G with the Cornwall Chamber Orchestra in their 2004/5 season. In January 2008, along with her mentor, Pamela Rosenfeld, she founded Celtic Fiddlers. Since 1996 she has been teaching the violin and is now working at Bolitho School and at home. Last year she was awarded the Postgraduate Diploma ‘Music Teaching in Professional Practice’ by Reading University.

Hilary Tyreman moved to Cornwall in 1989. She studied music at Royal Holloway College, University of London. After graduation she trained as a primary teacher specialising in music. She is currently assistant head teacher at Pensans Primary School and still enjoys teaching. Hilary has continued her study of music education training with Jo Glover and the late Derek Kitt. She is now working on her Masters degree. Hilary plays the violin in many local orchestras and also has a busy and noisy family life with her two daughters playing 6 instruments between them.