Harvey de Souza — Violin

Harvey de Souza is an acclaimed violinist and long-standing member of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, where he has served as Principal First Violin since 1993. He has led the orchestra on international tours, collaborating with distinguished soloists including Joshua Bell and Julia Fischer, and performs widely with the Academy’s Chamber Ensemble.

Born and raised in Mumbai, India, de Souza began violin studies with his father before enrolling at the Yehudi Menuhin School in the UK at the age of ten. His career has encompassed significant chamber and orchestral work, notably as a member of the Vellinger String Quartet, winners of the London International String Quartet Competition in 1994. He has also appeared with the Philadelphia Chamber Orchestra and served as Principal Guest Director of the Lancashire Sinfonietta.

Beyond the concert stage, de Souza has contributed to numerous film scores, including Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (2004) and The Boxtrolls (2014). A committed advocate for chamber music, he co-founded and served as Co-Artistic Director of the Sangat Chamber Music Festival in Mumbai from 1995 to 2015, which has become one of India’s most important platforms for classical music.

De Souza is equally active as an educator. He is Assistant Professor of Violin at the Conservatoire National Supérieur Musique et Danse (CNSMD) in Lyon, mentors young musicians at the Mehli Mehta Music Foundation in Mumbai, and regularly gives masterclasses worldwide. In recognition of his contributions to music, he was named an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music (ARAM) in 2004.