The Yehudi Menuhin School (YMS) in the UK has announced that Rosalind Ventris will become its next Director of Music. She will be the first woman ever to hold this position, taking over from Ashley Wass in September 2025.
Ventris currently holds several roles, including Director of Performance at the University of Oxford, Professor of Viola at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and Artistic Director of the Cowbridge Music Festival.
A respected recitalist, Ventris has performed at renowned venues like Wigmore Hall and the Royal Festival Hall. She has also appeared as a soloist with several distinguished orchestras, including the European Union Chamber Orchestra, Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Belgian National Orchestra. As a regular member of the Kaleidoscope Chamber Collective and violist in Trio Anima, Ventris has collaborated with musicians such as Mitsuko Uchida, Tabea Zimmermann, and Barry Douglas, among many others.
In 2023, Ventris released her debut album, SOLA, on the Delphian Records label. The album, featuring works by women composers from the 20th and 21st centuries, earned critical acclaim, including Editor’s Choice in BBC Music Magazine and recognition in The Sunday Times and Gramophone Magazine.
Ventris expressed her excitement about the new role, saying, “I am absolutely delighted to take up the role of Director of Music at The Yehudi Menuhin School. Menuhin’s vision of blending artistic excellence with social conscience and intellectual curiosity resonates deeply with me as both a musician and educator.”
She added, “I’m excited to carry Menuhin’s vision into the future, working with the talented staff and students. It is a great privilege to be entrusted with this role, which allows me to nurture and empower young musicians.”
Robin Harskin, head of YMS, shared his enthusiasm, stating, “We are thrilled to welcome Rosalind as Director of Music. She is an outstanding performer and educator, but more importantly, she embodies the empathy and commitment to Menuhin’s ideals, supporting the role of music in creating a better world.”
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