Takane Funatsu was born in Japan and started playing the violin at the age of four. Whilst studying at the Toho College in Japan, she won an international violin competition in Spain, and appeared as soloist with the Orchestra Nacional de España. In 1991, Takane moved to London and attended the Advanced Solo Studies course at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where she won a scholarship to study with David Takeno. She has performed as a soloist with many orchestras. Her first solo performance in London was at the Barbican Hall playing Lutoslawski‘s “Chain Il“ with the composer conducting. In 1994, she won a principal‘s scholarship to work with the London Symphony Orchestra, followed by three month‘s study at the Banff Arts Centre in Canada. She has worked in Britain, Europe, Canada, USA, Israel and Japan as a soloist and chamber musician, frequently leading and directing, for instance, with the Northern Sinfonia and the Royal Birmingham Ballet. Takane was a principal player in the Scottish Chamber Orchestra from 1999 to 2001. Currently she is a member of a contemporary music group Zelling based in Paris.
The oldest amateur orchestra in York