Polaris Duo

Gillian Blair (saxophones) and Elinor Nicholson (harp) met when they began studying the Bachelor of Music Course in Performance at the Royal Northern College of Music in 2010. They formed the Polaris Duo in May 2011 and have since been exploring an eclectic range of repertoire and possibilities for this unusual instrumentation. Both accomplished musicians, their endeavours include performances with chamber groups, large ensembles and solo work.

Elinor began studies in Clarsach (Scottish lever harp) at the age of 10 with Celtic harpist and composer Savourna Stevenson and soon achieved great success in numerous Royal National Mod competitions. A year prior to commencing studies at the RNCM, Elinor began studies in pedal harp, and now studies under the tutelage of Eira Lynn Jones.
Elinor has been heavily involved ensemble and orchestral playing, including as part of the College’s Symphony, Chamber and Concert orchestras. She was also involved in a NAXOS recording with the RNCM wind orchestra and took part in the Judith Weir festival, held at the RNCM in January 2011. Elinor has appeared on BBC radio several times, including a concert with the BBC Singers and with the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland.

Gillian joined the junior department of the RNCM in 2007 where she performed with the Wind Orchestra, Big Band and Saxophone Ensemble and gained platform experience as a soloist, leading to festival success throughout the North West. In September 2009 Gillian moved to London and spent a year studying with Melanie Henry and Gerard McCrystal at Trinity College of Music before commencing her degree at the Royal Northern College of Music in 2010. She studies with Rob Buckland, Carl Raven and Andy Scott and receives jazz tuition from Mike Hall, Julian Arguelles and Tim Garland.
Gillian has been involved in a diverse range of chamber music projects including performing Webern's Quartet (op. 22) for violin, clarinet, tenor saxophone and piano at the 2009 RNCM Chamber Music Festival. As tenor saxophonist for the Borealis Saxophone Quartet, she has performed throughout Manchester and the North West since their debut at the Bridgewater Hall in 2011.

The Polaris Duo are dedicated to presenting new music and expanding the repertoire for this uncommon pairing of instruments. They have been working closely with several composers on new works and are delighted that they will be giving UK, European and World premieres of a number of pieces during 2012 and will be performing throughout the UK.

For more information about future performances, please see our calendar.

To book the Polaris Duo for your event, please use our contact page, or simply email info@polarisduo.com