Kyra Humphreys

Professor of Violin (from September 2026)

Kyra Humphreys is a distinguished orchestral and chamber musician whose career spans many of the UK’s leading symphony and chamber orchestras. She has appeared as guest leader and director with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, and the Orchestra of Opera North. As a soloist, she has performed at the BBC Proms, and her world premiere of John Casken’s Après un Silence – broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 – was described by The Times as ‘authoritatively dramatic’.

As violinist and violist of the award-winning Zanfonia Trio, Kyra was a finalist in the Osaka International Chamber Music Competition. The ensemble has performed widely across the UK, and their recording of 20th-century clarinet trio repertoire was praised by BBC Music Magazine for its ‘energy, flair and stylistic exactitude’.

From 1998 to 2025, Kyra served as Co-Leader of the Royal Northern Sinfonia, frequently performing as both director and soloist. Highlights of her tenure include performances of Mozart concertos, the violin concertos of Barber and Kurt Weill, Piazzolla’s Four Seasons, and Philip Glass’ The American Four Seasons. Alongside her orchestral work, she maintains an active chamber and contemporary music career.

A dedicated educator, Kyra has coached for the National Youth Orchestra for 16 years and contributes to the NYO Inspire programme. She has taught at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and is currently a Visiting Artist at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, while also running a private teaching studio. She will join the RNCM School of Strings as a Professor of Violin in September 2026.

Originally from London and a Mathematics graduate of Oxford University, Kyra now lives in Newcastle upon Tyne.