Inspired by his father Leonard, a famous violinist himself, Richard Friedman, Co-leader, took up the violin at the age of eight. He trained with Pamela Spofforth and Sacha Lasseron and started his professional career in the stage band for Don Giovanni with the English Chamber Orchestra. He has played and recorded with the Scottish Baroque Ensemble, London Festival, BBC Welsh, London Symphony, Royal Philharmonic and European Festival orchestras. He has played for the Royal Ballet Sinfonia for many years, and was appointed co-leader in 2001.