Neyire Ashworth

Biography

Neyire studied at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London, Rotterdam Conservatoire in The Netherlands and in Chicago and New York City, USA. Since being a prize-winner in BBC’s Young Musician of the Year and a Countess of Munster beneficiary, Neyire has pursued a career as clarinet soloist and chamber musician, alongside being a part of the UK’s orchestral scene. With the Britten-Pears Ensemble she worked closely with Sir Richard Rodney Bennett, touring the UK and USA and recording several discs for ASV. With the clarinet quartet, No Strings Attached, alongside their busy schedule touring the world performing and running workshops for the British Council, they managed to be at the forefront of creative work in UK prisons and won first prize in the Royal Overseas League Chamber Music competition and were prize-winners in the Gaudeamus International Contemporary Music competition. Neyire is also an expert klezmer musician, having toured internationally with the Besht Tellers, a Jewish music and traditional storytelling theatre company. She currently plays with the New London Chamber Ensemble (NLCE) who regularly commission new work. Their recording output includes the wind music of Carl Nielsen, John Woolrich, Martin Butler, Lennox Berkeley and Philip Cashian. The Zimro Trio explores mixed chamber music repertoire, especially music with a folk element. Other recent work includes War Horse/National Theatre and Little Red Riding Hood by Georges Aperghis/Almeida Opera Festival. Neyire’s performance piece Stenclmusic, composer Rachel Stott, won an award from the European Association of Jewish Culture and her recent work, Stolen Voices, composed by Neyire, won Best Performer Award at the Buxton Fringe Festival. Neyire is a passionate educator. She is professor of clarinet at the Junior Guildhall School of Music and runs regular creative workshops and instrumental masterclasses for young musicians.