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The Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) in Manchester has announced the appointments of eight tutors ahead of the 2025/26 academic year.
Among these is the appointment of Romanian violinist Andra Vornicu to RNCM’s popular music department as professor of pop violin.
Vornicu’s professional portfolio spans orchestral leadership, international touring, studio recording, and theatre work, placing her at the forefront of contemporary music-making.
She has toured internationally with artists such as Lewis Capaldi, Paloma Faith, James, Tim Burgess, Chicane, and DJ Spoony, and made television appearances on BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge, Later with Jools Holland and BBC Songs of Praise.
As a theatre musician she has held solo violin chairs in Standing at the Sky’s Edge (National Theatre/Crucible), The Book of Mormon, She Loves Me and Guys and Dolls.
She has also performed with Manchester Camerata, Opera North, and Manchester Collective, and currently holds leadership positions with Novello, NEW Sinfonia, Ignition, Urban Soul, The Untold Orchestra, and Northern Film Orchestras.
On her appointment, Vornicu said: ‘I look forward to giving my students the tools and inspiration to succeed as young artists across genres – whether in the studio, pit, on stage, or in collaborative creative projects.’
Also joining the RNCM faculty are Naomi Sullivan as professor of saxophone (senior tutor), Fraser Langton and Oliver Casanovas as professors of clarinet, Julien Beaudiment as international visiting professor of flute, Christopher Turner as professor of singing, Damian Morgan as artist development specialist, and Rebecca Lewis as creative multi-specialist (vocals).
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