About the Trio
Trio Taliesin take their name from Celtic mythology: Taliesin was a renowned bard who entertained at the courts of the Brythonic kings. The trio formed in 2017 with the aim of engaging audiences in piano trio repertoire through collaborative performances and programming that link works with an underlying narrative.
They have given concerts in London, Oxford, Sedbergh and Llanidloes, collaborated on performances with actress Holly Walters, and performed Beethoven's Triple Concerto with the Cobweb Orchestra.
Piano
Tara Clifford
Tara leads a busy and varied life as a pianist and performing arts educator in London. Having started out her career as a solo pianist, Tara now works more regularly on collaborative projects.
Tara has performed extensively in the UK and abroad, including venues such as the National Portrait Gallery, The National Gallery (Dublin), the Purcell Room and St John's Smith Square. Other recent projects include recordings for Cavendish Music including a Chopin Solo Piano album, and ongoing collaborative work with composer Katherine Gillham.
As an educator Tara teaches piano and delivers music and performing arts workshops in schools and community settings across London, working with organisations such as Wigmore Hall Learning, Artis Education, RCM Sparks and Westminster Music Library.
Tara holds a Masters in Advanced Performance from the Royal College of Music, a Postgraduate Diploma in Performing Arts Leadership from the Royal Northern College of Music and a 1st class honours degree in music from the University of Manchester.
Violin
Kirsten Wilson
Kirsten started playing violin at the age of 7. She was a music scholar at Headington girls' school, and attended the Royal College of Music Junior Department.
She won a scholarship to the Royal Northern College of Music, where she studied with Yossi Zivoni and Ben Holland. She then went back to the Royal College of Music for her post-graduate studies, studying with Rodney Friend.
Kirsten has played in many professional orchestras including the BBC Philharmonic and orchestras for various film soundtracks. In addition to her orchestral playing she regularly performs with the Barber String Quartet.
As well as her busy performing schedule she teaches at Sutton High School and Fulham Prep School. She has also taught at the Royal Academy of Music Junior Department.
Cello
Alice Jones
Alice studied Music at Dartington College of Arts, graduating with a 1st class honours degree. She went on to study at Trinity Laban Conservatoire on Pearson and TCM scholarships, graduating with a Music Performance Masters in 2011.
Alice has played recital concerts and concerti around the UK and abroad. She has worked extensively with the Cobweb Orchestra covering repertoire such as Dvořák's Cello Concerto, Haydn's Cello Concerto in C and Elgar's Cello Concerto.
In 2013-14 she performed and recorded a Cello Concertino written for her by the composer, John Hawkes. In addition to her work as a soloist, Alice has performed with various ensembles including the English Fayre Quartet and the Evelina De Lain Trio.
Alice teaches a wide range of cello students privately and in schools around London. She is a cello and Early Years music teacher at Junior Trinity. In 2017 she qualified as a Dalcroze practitioner.
