Chris is a longstanding member of the KPO’s first violin section. He started learning the violin in Kent, studying with Anthony Saltmarsh and subsequently Faith Whiteley, both inspirational teachers. He is a keen chamber music player, performs with other orchestras such as the Ashford Baroque Ensemble when he can and has often been to the Dartington International Summer School. He is a founder member of Enrique Galassi’s Teddington Tango Orchestra.
In fine weather he likes to swap one sort of racket for another and be out on court playing tennis.
Chris became KPO chair in 2015 after a very long stint as treasurer.
By day, Chris is a civil servant in Whitehall.
John Abramson - Orchestra manager
John Abramson began learning the bassoon in his native South Africa when he was 13 years old. As a teenager he played, together with his teacher, Jos de Groen, in the Johannesburg Symphony Orchestra, and various amateur orchestras and chamber ensembles.
After moving to the UK, John took bassoon lessons with the legendary William Waterhouse and regularly attended Canford and Ernest Read summer schools of music. In London, John studied conducting with Alan Hazeldine at the Guildhall School, and founded the Walton Chamber Orchestra. John joined the Kensington Philharmonic Orchestra in 2017 where he is currently principal bassoon.
When not playing or listening to music, John is an insurance lawyer.
Charlotte Luddington - Membership Secretary
Charlotte has been a member of the KPO as a first violinist since 2010 and was elected as the Membership Secretary in 2017. She enjoys building relationships with members of the orchestra, particularly with new members.
Outside of the KPO, Charlotte is a primary school teacher in Dulwich, where she also runs a beginner string orchestra for ages 7-9 and coaches string quartets with older, more advanced children.
Charlotte is also a keen cyclist, and has recently taken up tennis again, after a 15 year hiatus!
Philip Rham - Concert Manager
Philip joined the KPO cellos back in 2006, after appearing and playing cello for over six months in the Shared Experience Theatre Company’s version of Jane Eyre in the West End.
His other job is as a professional actor, singer and musician, covering all styles. Shakespeare, comedy, musicals, classic and across all media, namely theatre, film, radio and television. Notable TV has been Doctor Who (Let’s Kill Hitler), IT Crowd (Johann the Cannibal), Band of Brothers and Deatheater in Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire. Philip has also been a governor/director of an alternative provision academy trust (TBAP) for the last twenty years in Hammersmith and Fulham.
Charles Dalglish - Secretary
Charles grew up in Yorkshire in a musical household, which included a string quartet amongst his siblings. He began learning the cello, aged 7, under the tutelage of Cathy Banks, in Masham, and subsequently with Sue Lowe, in Tollerton, York. Charles became an Associate of the London College of Music before going to read Law at King's College London. He joined the KPO in 2000 and has been principal cello since 2003.
In addition to the KPO, Charles occasionally plays with the Saffron Walden Symphony Orchestra near his hometown, Bishops Stortford. He also enjoys playing chamber music with friends and is in the early stages of cultivating a home-grown piano trio.
Chris Thresh - Chair
John Abramson - Orchestra manager
Charlotte Luddington - Membership Secretary
