Performance

Ruth Hopkins is an accomplished soloist and Artistic Director with a passion for bringing new music to life. A graduate of Somerville College, Oxford, Ruth’s postgraduate vocal studies were supported by the Dame Felicity Lott Bursary. Her career as a soloist has seen her perform at prestigious venues such as St Martin-in-the-Fields and the Beethoven Society of Europe’s Tippet Festival. Ruth has a particular affinity for contemporary music, premiering works by composers such as Kerry Andrew, Phillip Venables, George Holloway, and Robert Szymanek. She has also been involved in innovative projects, including the 2022 Commonwealth Games, where she served as Artistic Director for the flagship disability project ‘All Roads Lead to Alexander,’ culminating in performances and a documentary film.

Ruth’s dedication to both music and social impact led her to receive a scholarship for an Executive MBA at Merton College, Oxford, in recognition of her extensive work in music for special educational needs and disabilities. Her leadership in this field continues with her role as a Lead Artist at the National Trust’s The Firs, Elgar’s Birthplace Museum, where she has developed their music programme and composed music for a new installation. Ruth’s contributions to the arts have also earned her a place on the board of the Birmingham Contemporary Music Group.

In 2012, Ruth founded the K’antu Ensemble, a group that explores the lesser-known territories of early music, blending it with elements of folk and world music through historically-informed performance techniques. Under Ruth’s direction, K’antu Ensemble has performed extensively across the UK, including at renowned venues such as Bridgewater Hall, King’s Place, and St Martin-in-the-Fields. The ensemble’s work has been featured on BBC Radio 3 and in Early Music Today Magazine, and they have been invited to perform internationally, including at the Göttingen International Handel Festival in Germany, and tours in Hungary, Romania, and Egypt in collaboration with the British Council.

K’antu Ensemble’s albums, "Dancing & the Divine" and "Gusto," reflect their innovative approach to music, and their performances have been highlighted on BBC Radio 3's Early Music Show, Late Junction, and Resonance FM's LSO Soundhub. The ensemble is also known for their educational and outreach programmes, providing therapeutic music workshops for severely disabled children and people living with dementia. Ruth has led the ensemble in various collaborations, including premieres of new works and interactive events with dance and historical performance groups.

Ruth Hopkins’ dual roles as a soloist and as the driving force behind K’antu Ensemble highlight her versatility and commitment to expanding the reach and understanding of both contemporary and early music.