Meet the Musicians - Nat Jones, First Violinist

Both Nat and his sister Danny, CSM's cellist, started music early at home and whilst their parents were not players themselves, they were very supportive of the siblings' musical talent.  Nat's first instrument was the piano, then along came his love for the violin.  He attended Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester and later graduated from the Royal College of Music.

Nat then worked as a freelance violinist based in London. During his time in the city, he played with the English Chamber Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall, made recordings at Abbey Road and Air Studios, and toured with productions across the UK and Europe. He also took an overseas break teaching English in Asia.

Having been born in Cornwall, he was eventually drawn back to the county, partly to teaching with the Cornwall Music Service Trust from 2016 -2019. His work in Cornwall now includes leading the Chapel Street Ensemble and the Cornwall Quartet, playing with the Three Spires Orchestra and the Jopes Ensemble as well as touring with the Christmas Orchestra.  He enjoys freelance work both in and out of the county.  This summer he has been playing with Music on the Moor, the new music festival based in Bodmin, and, as a contrast, in the band supporting the production of “Anything Goes”  and “Dear Evan Hansen” at the Minack Theatre.

Among the works featuring in our Autumn 2026 series, Nat highlights a contemporary piece by the American composer and violinist, Caroline Shaw. Recipient of the Pulitzer Prize in Music, Shaw blends classical music with folk, pop and experimental sounds (fulfilling a request for more contemporary music was made at our coffee morning in February!) 

Nat is also looking forward to performing one of Borodin’s two Quartets. Borodin was one of Russia's most prominent composers of the 19th century and Nat is fascinated by how he found the time to compose his fine Romantic works alongside his principal job of teaching and research in the field of chemistry!