Christine Hankin
Finals Judge

After gaining a music degree from Sheffield University, Chris Hankin attended the Guildhall School of Music and Drama as a postgraduate. She then continued her flute studies with Jonathan Snowden and she now has a very varied and successful freelance career.

As a teacher and flute educator, Chris is much in demand. Currently she is Professor of Flute at both the London College of Music and at Brunel University.

As a soloist, she made her Purcell Room debut to much critical acclaim and she now gives recitals with the versatile pianist Timothy Murray. The focus is on the lesser-known aspects of the flute repertoire and the recent release of their CD "The Feminine Flute" featuring the works of twentieth century women composers such as Arrieu, Boulanger and Maconchy has been extremely well received. Radio 3 recently included their recording of Chaminade’s Serenade des Etioles in a Composer of the Week programme.

As an orchestral player Chris is also much in demand. She plays regularly with the highly acclaimed London Chamber Orchestra and is a valued member of the Orchestra of St Johns. She has played with most of the London orchestras and spent four years working in Cardiff with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. She is also guest principal flute with both the London Concert Orchestra and the Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra. She has a wide range of experience in opera and ballet, working extensively with touring companies such as Birmingham Royal Ballet, which take their productions the length and breadth of the country. She is also very happy working in West End theatre and is to be heard on the recent cast album of Fiddler on the Roof.