ZOË BEYERS
Leader
South-African born Zoë Beyers has established a reputation as one of the finest and most versatile violinists based in the UK, and performs worldwide as soloist, chamber musician, director and orchestral leader. She is the newly announced leader of Britten Sinfonia.
In 2020 she was appointed Leader of the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, in 2024 she took up the role of Artistic Director of the Northern Chamber Orchestra, and in 2025 she was announced as the new leader of Britten Sinfonia. Her first concerts as Leader take place this August at the BBC Proms in Bristol Beacon (23 August) and Snape Maltings Concert Hall (27 August), where she will direct and lead Britten Sinfonia in music by Sibelius, Arvo Pärt, Gavin Higgins and Mozart. She then returns for several further performances in early 2026, before taking on the role fully for the 2026/7 season.
Zoë also appears as guest leader of the Hallé, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, BBC Symphony and BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestras, the CBSO, the Philharmonia, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and the Orquesta Nacional de España at the invitation of Juanjo Mena. Since 2017, Zoë has been the Principal Artist and Leader of the English Symphony Orchestra, collaborating closely with them as director and soloist. Her 2024 recording of Steve Elcock’s Violin Concerto (ESO/Kenneth Woods) was one of Gramophone Magazine’s records of the year.
As a chamber musician Zoë performs and records with Britten Sinfonia, Hebrides Ensemble, Nash Ensemble, Birmingham Contemporary Music Group and London Sinfonietta. From 2019 until 2024 she was first violinist of the renowned Dante Quartet. Zoë has a passionate interest in education, teaching at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, coaching at the RNCM and working with violinists and ensembles at the start of their careers. When not playing the violin, she can be found in the garden or up one of her favourite Shropshire hills.
