Sophie Swainger - Projects Manager

Sophie has had a clear flair for music administration from a very early age. At 10 years old she volunteered as Orchestral Manager for the Devon Fellowship of Music, moving on to start the extremely successful Silver Strings business with a friend whilst at Sheffield University. A dissertation on string quartet management secured her Music degree, after which she returned to Devon. An eclectic mixture of jobs followed, including Administrator at Dartington International Summer School, Welcome Week Co-ordinator for the Students' Guild at Exeter University, and manager of a local string quartet.

Having started playing the violin with the Suzuki Method when she was 3 years old, Sophie picked up the viola shortly after gaining her violin Grade 8 distinction at 14. Whilst at St. Margaret’s School (Exeter) on a full music bursary, she was awarded leadership positions with Devon County Youth Orchestra, Exeter School’s Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra, and the Devon Fellowship of Music, performing at the last night of the Schools’ Proms in the Royal Albert Hall on several occasions. As a violist Sophie's school string quartet won a place in the finalists’ concert of the National Youth Chamber Music competition at St. John’s, Smith Square. Currently performing occasionally in local ensembles, she enjoys making music but now focuses on organising others to do so.

Sophie is married to jazz bassist (and SWMS tutor) Al Swainger, and lives in Exeter.