Friends for
over 20 years, since studying together at the Royal Welsh College of
Music & Drama, Jane and Jenny have continued to perform and make
music together. Based in Gloucestershire and South Wales, they
have performed together at venues such as: Bristol’s St. George’s
Brandon Hill and the Colston Hall; St. David’s Hall in Cardiff;
the Royal Academy of Music and St. David’s in Pembrokeshire.
Established musicians in their own right, they also present themselves as the Berkeley Duo; a contemporary flute and piano duo, performing a mixture of popular music from classical to jazz. They offer a wide repertoire and can be booked for events or functions, with a program carefully chosen to suit the occasion.
Jane Groves
Jane Groves, originally
from Hartlepool, studied the flute with David Haslem in Newcastle and
then, while at the Welsh College of Music & Drama, with Doug
Townsend and Jonathan Burgess of Welsh National Opera. After graduating
in 1990 Jane freelanced with the BBC and WNO. She plays regularly with
the Welsh
Sinfonia and Bristol Philharmonic.
It was during her time at the Welsh College of Music & Drama that she first met and performed with Jenny also in 1990 Jane teamed up with harpist Eluned Scourfield to form Mwynion Mai Flute & Duo. Jane also performs with the Welsh Flute Trio and founded CAFÉ (Cardiff Amateur Flute Ensemble) of which she was Musical Director until 2006. Jane teaches the flute at Howell's School, Cardiff as well as running her own private teaching practice.
When not performing or teaching she works with her husband Tim at Creighton's Collection which provides IT & music publishing services.
Their son Benjamin is a promising young harpist.
Jenny Rees started to learn the piano at
the age of 9 and the clarinet at 10. From
a young age, Jenny has performed music, progressing through the Bristol Schools
Symphony Orchestra, Avon Schools Symphonic Wind Band, Juggernaut Big Band and
the Tuxedo Junction Swing Band amongst others.
Jenny’s interest in music led her into arranging and composing. Her first major public success was a Sinfonietta for Wind Band completed in 1987 while she was studying at the Welsh College of Music and Drama (1986-1989). The college wind band gave the work its first performance at the Colston Hall in Bristol, resulting in a Radio Bristol interview and a favourable write-up in Winds magazine.
After 3 years studying the clarinet with Martin Ronchetti, Jenny graduated with a Performer’s Diploma and an award for her contribution to chamber music. Whilst at the Welsh College, Jenny discovered her talent for accompanying others on piano, often with Jane for recitals and other performances. She soon established herself as a freelance professional musician and teacher and has enjoyed continued success in her chosen career. Jenny is currently accompanist to two choral societies and regularly performs with other soloists.
More recently, she has turned again to composing; her first published piece is called 'Joviality' for clarinet quartet and is available through Queen's Temple Publications; they also publish 'Oon Tunes' - five fun pieces for BassOon! Other music by Jenny is available through Creighton's Collection or by contacting her directly. The Duo includes ‘Continuity’ in their repertoire; a contemporary classical duet composed by Jenny.
Jenny was Musical Director for Sodbury Vale Musical Comedy Club's 2006 production of Little Shop of Horrors. Reviewed by the Rose Bowl Awards, they considered “The Orchestral input was sensitive and supportive and with good musicality, and with excellent underscoring at all times”.