Biography

Multi-genre performer, composer and collaborator..

Current

Chloë Dickens is a versatile and accomplished violinist based in New York City, recognized for her artistry across orchestral, chamber, and crossover music. She has performed internationally as a soloist and ensemble musician, collaborating with renowned artists and ensembles in both the UK and the US.

Chloë is a dedicated performer and educator. She is co-founder of The Alegría Ensemble, alongside pianist Ricky Moreira and cellist Sara Juneau. The trio specializes in contemporary music and have premiered numerous works by composers from across the globe. Known for their engaging and innovative approach, their interactive family concerts have become a highlight at WQXR’s annual Kids’ Classical Fair, earning rave reviews from the New York Daily News and delighting audiences of all ages. She maintains a thriving teaching studio at the Eisman Center for Preparatory Studies in Music at Queens College, where she mentors the next generation of young violinists.

Known for her nuanced artistry and technical command, Chloë is highly sought-after in New York City’s dynamic music scene. She is passionate about cross-disciplinary collaboration, sharing her expertise with the next generation of musicians, and bringing accessible, imaginative performances to diverse audiences.

Theatre & Opera

As a frequent collaborator with Louis Burkot of Opera North, Chloe has performed as concertmaster for productions of Britten's The Turn of the Screw, and Puccini's Il Giasone and Suor Angelica. She has also served as concertmaster to conductor James John for Brahms Requiem.

Chloe made her West End debut in the pit at Trafalgar Theater, 2022. In 2020 Chloe collaborated with Ruth Rosales as an animateur with the Royal Welsh symphony orchestra. They performed their show at St David’s Hall, educating primary students about Beethoven.

As an actor-musician for the Richard Burton Company, Chloe performed in Chekhov’s ‘Uncle Vanya’ directed by Owen Horsley, and Phillip Pullman’s ‘The Grimm Tales’, directed by Jac Ifan Moore.

Chloe co-founded the Flying Bedroom Theatre Company, which specializes in creating musical puppetry shows and workshops designed to inspire children to explore the arts. A subsidiary, The Flying Bedroom Quartet (FBQ), has collaborated with renowned groups such as the O Duo and the Benedetti Foundation. Their innovative ensemble performances, combined with a deep commitment to making musical education accessible to all ages, have earned widespread acclaim and delighted audiences across England and Wales.

FBQ’s first musical creation, ‘Fate and the Unexplained’ made its debut in 2022 at the Wells Theatre Festival. Reviews included, "Absolutely phenomenal. Had goose bumps and tears throughout, it was so moving. Wanted the performance to start all over again when it finished. Thoroughly recommend this fabulously talented bunch. I will be raving about them to anyone who will listen from now on!"

Jazz and soul

Chloe had the immense pleasure of performing as concertmaster in a concert of Charlie Parker's 'Parker with Strings' album, with jazz legend Antonio Hart as the soloist. She also performed in a string quartet hand picked by the master, Rufus Reid, for a live performance of his album 'Celebration'.

Chloe was taught guitar by the modern soul artist Max Zaska who inspires her to reimagine the possibilities of string playing. Chloe was a member of National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYJO) ‘Jazz Exchange’ Band. This distinctive new ensemble that brings together emerging talent from across the UK. As a member of the group she recorded for Scala radio, Jazz FM and Worldwide FM. She performed at;

Southbank Centre, London Jazz Festival
Barbican supporting Hermeto Pascoal,
Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club

The support of NYJO also enabled Chloe to have lessons with the marvellous pianist and educator, Huw Warren. His tutelage gave her invaluable guidance into improvisation, arranging and most enjoyable of all, Brazilian Jazz styles.

Composition and arranging

In 2024, Chloe was selected as a Composer in Residence at Banff Centre for the Arts. A pioneer of the literature for violin, voice, and electronics, she spent three weeks developing a groundbreaking composition that draws on her Irish roots.

As a singer-songwriter Chloe wrote and performed lyrics and vocals for Will Rees-Jones’ debut album ‘Encounters’. Her folk/jazz trio 'Layer by Layer' made their debut at Camden Fringe Festival in 2021. They wrote and performed their original music as on-stage musicians in the highly popular show ‘The Lion’s Den’ by Harriet Chomley. The music they produced showed London that the combined talents of Chloe, Mary Johnson and Mischa Jardine are a force to be reckoned with. Since then they have recorded their debut EP ‘Hindsight’, streaming on all platforms. They also featured on the 2022 BBC 2 documentary ‘New Voices from Wales’ in a collaboration with Mobo artists in Wales.

Education

Chloe earned her Master’s degree in Classical Performance from the Aaron Copland School of Music, Queens College, graduating Summa Cum Laude under the mentorship of world-renowned violinist Daniel Phillips (Orion Quartet, Chamber Music at Lincoln Center). During her time there, she was appointed Concertmaster of the Queens College Symphony Orchestra and performed with the school’s premier ensemble, The Balsam Trio, and collaborated frequently with pianist Cullan Bryant.

Prior to that, Chloë completed her Bachelor’s degree at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, achieving first-class honours. Studying under David Adams, Concertmaster of the Welsh National Opera, she honed her skills as an orchestral and chamber musician. During her time at RWCMD, her string quartet won the Cardiff Violins Award, and she was selected for the prestigious Quartet Seminar in Norway.

She has held principal positions with ensembles including the Ignite Symphony Orchestra and Prestige 6, and was selected for leading music festivals such as the Britten Pears Young Artist Programme, Lake George Music Festival, and Banff: Interplay. She has also collaborated with acclaimed Welsh violinist Simmy Singh, developing her artistic voice which blends contemporary compositions and folk traditions.

Chloe’s early education set a strong foundation for her diverse musical journey. She received top-level musical and theatrical training across the UK and USA, including at the Guildford School of Acting and the Bay Youth Symphony Orchestra (VA). She completed her secondary education at Wells Cathedral School, where she explored a wide range of musical experiences, from string ensembles and early music to musical theatre, folk strings, big band, and gypsy jazz. Chloe is indebted to the high level of musical training she received at such a young age, and to her violin teachers Simon Smith, Alice Pont and Sally Hosken, who all played a part in her path to becoming an international artist.