Chris Orton
Tutor and BlockWork Director
Chris is active as a performer and teacher throughout Europe. After studying with Ross Winters, Annabel Knight and Louise Bradbury at Birmingham Conservatoire, Chris studied for five years as a private student with Dutch recorder soloist Anneke Boeke in Amsterdam. Based in Manchester, Chris teaches recorder and chamber music at Chetham's School of Music, Birmingham Conservatoire and for Manchester music service. He also conducts the Birmingham Schools' Recorder Sinfonia, and tutors the viola section of Stockport Youth Orchestra.
As a soloist and chamber musician, Chris has performed at major concert venues throughout Europe. He has been awarded a number of notable prizes, including 1st prize at the 2007 Moeck/SRP International Solo Recorder Competition. He is currently studying conducting, and composes music for young recorder ensembles. He has given masterclasses for the RNCM composition department, the University of York, and Krakow Academy of Music.