Rebecca Saunders - Leader

Rebecca began learning the violin at the age of four and won a specialist music scholarship to Wells Cathedral School three years later. She subsequently studied at the Junior Department at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama where she was leader of the Junior Guildhall String Ensemble, winner of the Principal's Prize, and a finalist in the Lutine Prize competition. She also performed with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain and the National Youth Chamber Orchestra.

Whilst studying Economics, Rebecca led Cambridge University Chamber Orchestra and performed Wieniawski's Concerto No. 1 with Cambridge University Symphony Orchestra. Following university, she joined Orchestra of the City as a founder member and co-Leader.

After a brief spell in the US, where she was Principal Second Violin in the Musica Bella Orchestra of New York and performed the Bruch Violin Concerto, Rebecca returned to London in 2008. Since then, she has led Orchestra of the City with whom she has performed solos including The Lark Ascending, Scheherazade and Coleridge-Taylor's Violin Concerto. Rebecca was formerly a Trustee of Orchestras Live and the National Children's Orchestras of Great Britain and she currently works at the Royal Ballet & Opera.