Named BBC’s Young Musician of the Year in 2004, violinist Nicola Benedetti has captivated audiences and critics with her performances and poise, leading the London Times to call her “a shining beacon for the beleaguered cause of classical music . . .” Whether performing for a sold-out audience of 50,000 at Last Night of the Proms or recording her debut disc, which rocketed to the top of the BBC music charts, the Scottish violinist has taken the classical music world by storm. Before reaching 20 years old, Benedetti had already played with many of the major orchestras in her native U.K. and toured the U.S. twice.

Born in Scotland of Italian heritage, Nicola began violin lessons at the age of five. In 1997, she entered the Yehudi Menuhin School, where she studied with Natasha Boyarskaya. Nicola left the Yehudi Menuhin School at the end of 2002 and has since been studying privately with Maciej Rakowski, whilst living in London and enjoying her busy schedule. Nicola plays the Earl Spencer Stradivarius, courtesy of Jonathan Moulds. She made her Boston debut at the Gardner Museum in April 2007.