Jane Rainey

About Jane Rainey

Jane Rainey was born in Harrogate and started learning the Cello at the age of eight. She was educated at Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester for four years studying with Elizabeth Wilson and Boris Heller, whilst also taking part in Masterclasses with Zara Nelsova and Amaryllis Fleming.

Jane continued her musical education at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London studying for five years with Raphael Wallfisch and Leonard Stehn. She was involved in many chamber music activities and took part in Masterclasses with Anner Bylsma, the Amadeus and Chillingirian Quartets and at the RNCM Cello Festival with Franz Helmerson. She graduated with distinction in 1987 and was awarded the first British Gas scholarship for Post Graduate study at the Guildhall and also the Elsie Doris Moss Concerto prize. Subsequent Martin Musical scholarships enabled her to have lessons with William Pleeth and Marcel Bergman. Concerts included performances of the Saint Saens Concerto and the Original version of Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Variations.

Since leaving college Jane has freelanced with most of the major Symphony Orchestras in London as well as playing Principal Cello with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra on many occasions. She worked as Alternating Solo Cello in Trondheim, Norway for two years before joining the Royal Ballet Sinfonia, Orchestra to Birmingham Royal Ballet in 1992. The Sinfonia has made many recordings including the Ealing Comedies which won the 1998 Gramophone Award for best film music. The orchestra has undertaken several foreign tours, notably South Africa, Hong Kong and New York and Chicago as well as frequently playing for The Royal Ballet in Covent Garden.

Jane particularly enjoys teaching the Cello and has taught at several schools and privately for many years. She believes that music offers a wonderful and universal way of self expression and creativity. Jane is able to offer flexible times and lessons to every ability; beginners to advanced, all ages either purely for fun or with a view to taking exams. The main aim is that people enjoy learning the cello and making music. She has also taught people with physical challenges such as MS. Jane is a member of the Musician's Union and ESTA who promote excellence in String Teaching. She has an Enhanced DBS which is updated yearly.

Jane is also a Meditation teacher and often combines classical music in her Meditation classes.