Our Leader
Catherine Smart, who has now been leading the SSO for more than 25 years, gained her first orchestral experience as leader of the Croydon Youth Philharmonic Orchestra.
She studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and went on to play with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra as sub-principal, and with the BBC Radio Orchestra.
Catherine is leader of the Stringendo string quartet, and plays with various London ensembles. She has recently become an examiner of the Associated Board, and also works as a psychodynamic counsellor.
