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Biography

Chloë Dickens is a multi-genre performer, composer and collaborator based in New York and London.

Current

Chloe is the co-founder of The Alegría Ensemble, alongside pianist Ricky Moreira and cellist Sara Strozzo. The trio specializes in contemporary music and has performed three world premieres this year in collaboration with Long Island Composers. Known for their engaging and innovative approach, their interactive family concerts have become a highlight at WQXR’s annual Kids’ Classical Fair, earning rave reviews from the New York Daily News and delighting audiences of all ages.

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Chloe currently lives in Queens, NY, where she teaches a studio of violin and viola students. She is very excited about the variety of performing opportunities that await her in her early years as a full-time professional musician in one of the most culturally and musically diverse cities in the world.

Theatre & Opera

As a frequent collaborator with Louis Burkot of Opera North, Chloe has performed as concertmaster for productions of Britten's The Turn of the Screw, and Puccini's Il Giasone and Suor Angelica. She has also served as concertmaster to conductor James John for Brahms and Mozart requiems. 

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Chloe made her West End debut in the pit band for the RWCMD Masters Musical Theatre showcase. In 2020 Chloe collaborated with Ruth Rosales as an animateur with the RWCMD symphony orchestra. They performed their show at St David’s Hall, educating primary students about Beethoven.

 

As an actor-musician for the Richard Burton Company, Chloe performed in Chekhov’s ‘Uncle Vanya’ directed by Owen Horsley, and Phillip Pullman’s ‘The Grimm Tales’, directed by Jac Ifan Moore. 

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Chloe co-founded the Flying Bedroom Theatre Company, which specializes in creating musical puppetry shows and workshops designed to inspire children to explore the arts. A subsidiary, The Flying Bedroom Quartet (FBQ), has collaborated with renowned groups such as the O Duo and the Benedetti Foundation. Their innovative ensemble performances, combined with a deep commitment to making musical education accessible to all ages, have earned widespread acclaim and delighted audiences across England and Wales.

FBQ’s first musical creation, ‘Fate and the Unexplained’ made its debut in 2022 at the Wells Theatre Festival. Reviews included, "Absolutely phenomenal. Had goose bumps and tears throughout, it was so moving. Wanted the performance to start all over again when it finished. Thoroughly recommend this fabulously talented bunch. I will be raving about them to anyone who will listen from now on!"

Jazz and soul

Chloe had the immense pleasure of performing as concertmaster in a concert of Charlie Parker's 'Parker with Strings' album, with jazz legend Antonio Hart as the soloist. She also performed in a string quartet hand picked by the master, Rufus Reid, for a live performance of his album 'Celebration'.

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Chloe was taught guitar by the modern soul artist Max Zaska who inspires her to reimagine the possibilities of string playing. Chloe was a member of National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYJO) ‘Jazz Exchange’ Band. This distinctive new ensemble that brings together emerging talent from across the UK. As a member of the group she recorded for Scala radio, Jazz FM. She performed at;

  • Total Refreshment Centre, Southbank Centre for London Jazz Festival

  • Barbican supporting Hermeto Pascoal, Norfolk and Norwich Festival and the icing on the cake,

  • Ronnie Scott’s in Soho.

The support of NYJO also enabled Chloe to have lessons with the marvellous pianist and educator, Huw Warren. His tutelage has given her invaluable guidance into improvisation, arranging and most enjoyable of all, Brazilian Jazz.

Composition and arranging

As a singer-songwriter Chloe wrote and performed lyrics and vocals for Will Rees-Jones’ debut album ‘Encounters’. Her folk/jazz trio Layer by Layer made their debut at Camden Fringe Festival in 2021. They wrote and performed their original music as on-stage musicians in the highly popular show ‘The Lion’s Den’ by Harriet Chomley. The music they produced showed London that the combined talents of Chloe, Mary Johnson and Mischa Jardine are a force to be reckoned with. Since then they have recorded their debut EP ‘Hindsight’, streaming on all platforms. They also featured on the 2022 BBC 2 documentary ‘New Voices from Wales’ in a collaboration with Mobo artists in Wales.

Education 

Chloe was fortunate in her primary education to receive top level musical and theatrical training across the UK and USA, including the Guildford School of Acting and the Bay Youth Symphony Orchestra (VA). She finished her secondary education at Wells Cathedral School where she developed musical tastes and experiences that stretch far and wide. This included string ensemble, early music, folk strings, choral singing, musical theatre, big band and gypsy jazz.

 

She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Classical Performance at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (RWCMD). She achieved first-class honours. Under the tutelage of David Adams, Concertmaster of Welsh National Opera, Chloe became a keen orchestral and chamber musician. During her time at RWCMD her quartet won the Cardiff Violins Award. She was also accepted on the prestigious and select Young Quartet Seminar in Norway. She spent many years playing in the Somerset County Youth Orchestra and took every opportunity to perform with orchestral ensembles. Highlights include:

  • London Rehearsal Orchestra Co-Principal Scheme

  • Sherborne Summer School,

  • Vacation Orchestra

  • Ignite Symphony Orchestra (principal second)

  • Prestige 6 (principal second)

  • Britten Pears Young Artist Programme.

 

Chloe particularly enjoyed acting as principal second with esteemed welsh violinist Simmy Singh. Simmy's original compositions and folk arrangements brought exciting new challenges.

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Chloe completed her master’s degree, studying with the world-renowned violinist, Daniel Phillips and graduating Summa Cum Laude. She used her time at the Aaron Copland School of Music, Queens College, New York, to reach new heights of musical excellence. She was selected to play in the college's premiere ensemble, The Balsam Trio and appointed concertmaster of the college symphony orchestra. 

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