Kyra Humphreys
Position: Co-leader
Joined: January 1998
The thing I enjoy best about being part of the orchestra is… being part of an amazing and committed group of musicians who love making music and living in the North East, and enjoy musical risk-taking in performance.
My favourite composer is… OK, this is a difficult one! But I think for constant companionship it’s Beethoven. From discovering the string quartets and piano sonatas as a teenager to all the symphonies, piano concertos, Missa Solemnis and Fidelio I’ve played professionally, I can’t imagine not having Beethoven’s music by my side. His life force, while facing the depths of human experience is constantly inspiring.
A contemporary song I can’t live without… It’s not really contemporary, but Joni Mitchell’s Chelsea Morning is a song I always come back to; great imagery, and a pick-me-up if it’s not a sunny day!
When I’m not performing or rehearsing you can find me…
hiking up mountains or swimming in cold water (sea or rivers or lakes!) with my family.
This season I am most looking forward to… Schumann’s Paradise and the Peri – rarely done and incredibly beautiful.
The last book I read is… My name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout- love her astute observations with such succinct prose.
My pet is… a very characterful border terrier called Misty. She’s 8 years old and is always the first to be greeted when anyone arrives home! She’s a great family focus and brings much joy to all of us.