Timothy Ridout and Ruth Gibson announced as Viola Professors
News Story
We are pleased to announce that renowned musicians Ruth Gibson and Timothy Ridout will join the Strings Department as Viola Professors, taking up the positions from autumn 2026.
Alum Timothy Ridout (FRAM), who is one of the most sought-after violists of his generation, moves from Visiting Professor into this new position. Alongside regular performances with top international orchestras, as a popular soloist and as a chamber musician, Timothy is currently undertaking a three-year residency at Konzerthaus Dortmund and three programmes at Wigmore Hall. In March 2026, he was Guest Artistic Director at Festspiele Frühling Mecklenburg Vorpommern.
Timothy is a former BBC New Generation Artist, recipient of the Borletti Buitoni Trust Fellowship and winner of both the Hamburger Symphoniker’s Sir Jeffrey Tate Prize and a Royal Philharmonic Society Award (2023). As a recording artist, he has received accolades such as the 2025 Opus Klassik Young Instrumentalist of the Year for his first solo viola album, following a 2023 Gramophone Award for his recording of Elgar’s Cello Concerto, arranged for viola.
‘The Academy has been a musical home for me for more than half of my life, from my junior department time, through to my undergraduate studies and more recently as a visiting professor. I am now looking forward to guiding some excellent young violists of the next generation through their musical journeys!’
Joining Timothy will be Ruth Gibson, a seasoned viola tutor and performer. Ruth has appeared at the world’s leading concert halls, including Wigmore Hall, Het Concertgebouw, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Auditiorio Sony and Berlin Konzerthaus. She is currently Principal Viola for Aurora Orchestra and Manchester Collective and a member of the City of London Sinfonia. Her previous roles include member of Ensemble 360 and regular appearances with Scottish Ensemble, Nash Ensemble and Manchester Camerata.
Ruth has been a member of both Castalian Quartet (2022-25) and Finzi Quartet. As a member of the Finzi Quartet, she was a prize winner at the Royal Over Seas League Competition and 5th Trondheim International String Quartet Competition. As a solo artist, she was awarded a Park Lane Group Award in 2015.
'I have long admired the Academy's ethos of artistic integrity and commitment to their students. I am honoured to join an incredible faculty of inspiring and dedicated musicians and look forward to working with the next generation of artists and supporting their individual voices in this ever changing industry. '
Timothy Ridout and Ruth Gibson are fantastic additions to our Academy community. They are both exceptional musicians who care deeply about developing young talent, and I know our students will benefit enormously from their experience, insight and encouragement for generations to come.