Thomas Lessels is from Aberdeen, studied clarinet at Birmingham Conservatoire  with Michael Harris, and completed his studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London with Timothy Lines, Nicholas Rodwell and Angela Malsbury, where he won the 2006 Buffet-Crampon clarinet competition. He plays with most of the UK's leading ensembles including Aurora Orchestra, Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, London Symphony Orchestra, English National Opera and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. 

 

As a soloist he performed in Polly Findlay's production of Antigone at the National Theatre, and in Matt Rogers' opera The Raven in the Grimeborne festival in East London and at Bestival on the Isle of Wight. He is a member of several chamber ensembles including the European Chamber Players, Ensemble Amorpha as well as the Ossian Ensemble.  He has worked with numerous composers including Jonathan Harvey, Thomas Adès, Anna Meredith, Mica Levi and Peter Maxwell Davies.  He is also clarinettist with the Heritage Orchestra performing alongside acts including Antony and the Johnsons, Tim Minchin and The National.  

 

He teaches clarinet at Eton College and Westminster Abbey Choir School, and coaches on the National Childrens Orchestra and Aldeburgh Young Musicians programmes.

 

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