Ailsa is a violinist currently in her final year of undergraduate study at the Royal Northern College of Music, under the tutelage of Gina McCormack. She loves exploring the many facets of what the violin can do and has a particular interest in contemporary music.

As a soloist, she recently performed Wynton Marsalis’ ‘Fiddle Dance Suite’ at the RNCM, and enjoys bringing music by new and underrepresented composers to her solo recitals. In January, Ailsa performed as a soloist with the RNCM String Orchestra, playing Tippet’s ‘Fantasia Concertante on a theme of Corelli’, and has previously enjoyed solo performances with orchestra in De Montfort Hall, Leicester, and with the Bardi Orchestra as Bardi Young Musician of the Year.

As an orchestral player, Ailsa has taken part in side-by-side projects at the RNCM, leading the 2nd Violins alongside Chamber Orchestra of Europe members and also performing with the Manchester Camerata. Ailsa co-founded the musical collective, Nomad, who curate live music events which blur the lines between classical music and other genres, bringing classical music out of the concert hall and to a wider audience. Her interest in folk music has led her to becoming a member of the Manchester-based world fusion group K’in Ensemble. With these groups Ailsa has had the opportunity to play at Manchester International Festival and Bridgewater Hall.

Alongside performing, Ailsa is passionate about music education and has been a Benedetti Foundation Ambassador since 2021. She plays on a Voller violin generously loaned to her by the Benslow Trust.