Three New Appointments

Matt Dunn | Section Principal Clarinet

Matt Dunn grew up in Whitby, North Yorkshire, where he began playing the clarinet at the age of nine. As a teenager, he was a member of the National Youth Orchestra and attended the Royal Northern College of Music Junior School. He then went on to study at the Royal Northern College of Music, where he was taught by Chris Swann, John Bradbury, Colin Pownall and Nick Cox.  During his time there, he was particularly successful in chamber music, winning several awards and competitions.

Since graduating In 2004, Matt has had a varied preforming career. As well as being  a member of Sinfonia Viva, he also works regularly with orchestras such as the BBC Philharmonic, the Hallé Orchestra, the Ulster Orchestra, the Northern Chamber Orchestra and Opera North among others. He regularly worked with contemporary music ensemble Psappha, and has also played in the UK tours of several West End shows, including Wicked, Les Miserables and Mary Poppins.

He has performed at several BBC Proms concerts, and been involved with many Radio 3 broadcasts. As well as performing, Matthew is involved with education and outreach work, both as a leader and musician, taking part in  projects in schools, youth centres, hospitals and hospices.

He teaches clarinet and saxophone, and also enjoys playing jazz and klezmer music!

Wenhan Jiang | Section Principal Viola

Chinese violist Wenhan Jiang is currently Principal No. 2 Viola of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. He was formerly Principal Viola of the Ulster Orchestra and has appeared as Guest Principal with various orchestras in the UK and China. Wenhan graduated with distinction from the Royal Academy of Music and earned an International Artist Diploma from the Royal Northern College of Music. He has won multiple awards, including First Prize in the Theodore Holland Viola Competition and Third Prize in the Oskar Nedbal Viola Competition.

Dedicated to expanding the viola repertoire, Wenhan collaborates closely with contemporary composers, having premiered works by Harrison Birtwistle, Piers Hellawell, Rebecca Saunders, and others. He has performed at major festivals such as the Lucerne Festival, Berlioz Festival, Pacific Music Festival, and Santander Music Festival, as well as in renowned venues including Suntory Hall, Carnegie Hall, Royal Festival Hall and the Berliner Philharmonie.

He appeared as a soloist with various ensembles such as the Manson Ensemble and the Ulster Orchestra. His recording of the Sally Beamish Viola Concerto No. 2 with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra was broadcast across the UK.

Beyond the viola, Wenhan is passionate about historical performance and actively promotes the Violoncello da Spalla, a five-string instrument played on the shoulder. His instrument, crafted by Italian luthier Daniela Gaidano, adds a unique dimension to his artistic expression.

“I’m so excited to join Sinfonia Viva as the Section Principal viola! I’ve always enjoyed playing with Viva—every musician is so dedicated and engaged. I look forward to many concerts and chamber music performances, especially the first concert of the 2025/26 season in September where I’ll be performing a concerto alongside our leader, Sophie Rosa.” – Wenhan

Photo copyright Richard Ion

Gareth Humphreys | Section Principal Bassoon

Gareth is from Caerleon in Newport, South Wales. He showed an interest in music from an early age, taking up the Clarinet at the age of seven, followed by Saxophone aged nine and Bassoon aged twelve.

As an orchestral bassoonist, Gareth has performed with many of the UK’s top orchestras, including trials for positions in the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Philharmonia, BBC NOW, Royal Ballet Sinfonia and the Halle Orchestra. He is also in demand as a chamber musician, working alongside some of the country’s leading chamber music performers.

He began at the RWCMD as a saxophonist, but after a few months, realised that his future didn’t lie in the saxophone world but as a bassoonist. He graduated with a first class honours BMus degree. Gareth continued his studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama graduating in 2014 with an MMus in Orchestral Artistry.

Photo copyright Raphaël Neal