Isabella Ackland
Horn
Isabella grew up in Bromley, southeast London and started learning the cornet at her primary school on a scheme called ‘Band on the Run’. This offered pupils the opportunity to have free group instrumental tuition and to perform in a concert. Completely hooked by the end of the term, Isabella then transferred to playing the horn the following year. Bromley Youth Music Trust was central to her musical development whilst at school and she had the opportunity to perform a range of repertoire and to annually tour Europe. Isabella went on to study at the Royal Academy of Music, followed by a Master’s at Guildhall School of Music and Drama on the Orchestral Artistry course, where she studied with Jonathan Lipton, Angela Barnes and Sue Dent. She graduated in 2024 with Distinction.
Chamber music is central to Isabella's career and as well as performing regularly with CATIL Quintet, she is also a member of esteemed flexi-ensemble, Meliora Collective. Isabella is currently on trial at Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, English National Ballet and Royal Ballet Sinfonia. She freelances with Philharmonia Orchestra, London Concert Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra and Britten Sinfonia, as guest principal. Isabella was a member of Sinfonia Smith Square (formerly Southbank Sinfonia) 2024/2025 and is excited to be starting her year on the Philharmonia Instrumental Fellowship in September 2025.
Outside of music, Isabella loves swimming, watching standup comedy and is learning to code!