Biography

Gemma Sharples is a violinist and chamber musician who enjoys a varied career, performing around the UK and internationally.

Gemma has been a member of London Mozart Players since 2019, and since 2025 has held the position of sub-principal Second Violin with the orchestra. She also works as a freelance musician with other ensembles including 12 Ensemble, London Sinfonietta and London Contemporary Orchestra.

As second violin in the Gildas Quartet, Gemma has performed at Wigmore Hall, the Purcell Room and live on BBC Radio 3, as well as touring to China, Australia, South Africa and Europe. The quartet are alumni of the City Music Foundation artists scheme and are an associate ensemble at Birmingham Conservatoire, having completed a Junior Fellowship there in 2017. Highlights include working with Harrison Birtwistle at Dartington International Festival, premiering Colin Matthews 6th Quartet at the 2025 Aldeburgh Festival, and launching their project Surround Sound Sessions to critical acclaim.  

Gemma studied music at Christ Church college, Oxford, followed by a masters degree in violin performance at the Royal Academy of Music where she was awarded the Howard Davies Scholarship. For over 10 years she has been a violin teacher at Junior Academy, and loves teaching as much as she enjoys her performing work.

In 2018 Gemma was made an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music in recognition of her contribution to the music profession.