Described as a 'leader in the new generation of keyboard virtuosi' by Cambridge Early Music, Julian Perkins leads an active career as a soloist, conductor, and chamber musician. He directs numerous concerts with his chamber group, Sounds Baroque, and has conducted New Chamber Opera, New Kent Opera, and Southbank Sinfonia, amongst others. As a soloist and chamber musician, Julian performs with period instrument ensembles including the Academy of Ancient Music, Classical Opera Company, English Concert, Gabrieli Consort, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, and The Sixteen, and modern orchestras such as the Britten Sinfonia, Northern Sinfonia, and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. He has also assisted and played in many operas for organizations including the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. In demand as a recitalist, Julian's acclaimed discography includes world-première solo recordings of Stephen Dodgson and James Nares, and he will soon be releasing a disc of Italian chamber cantatas with Sounds Baroque and the countertenor Andrew Radley for Avie Records.  

After reading music at King's College, Cambridge, Julian studied primarily at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, Royal Academy of Music, and with Trevor Pinnock CBE. Awards have included the prestigious Ian Fleming Award, Countess of Munster Trust Awards, Leverhulme Trust Award, Finzi Scholarship, and Wingate Scholarship. Julian also teaches at the Royal Academy of Music, directs courses, and gives lecture demonstrations. www.julianperkins.com