Sebastian Pennar

Co-Principal | London Philharmonic Orchestra
Tutor | Guildhall School of Music and Drama
Tutor | Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama

Sebastian is originally from Cardiff, where he started having double bass lessons with Mary Condliffe (Welsh National Opera) aged 15. He received scholarships to study as an undergraduate at the Royal College of Music with Tony Hougham (Royal Opera House) and then as a postgraduate at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama with Kevin Rundell (London Philharmonic Orchestra). He was also formerly a member and subsequently Section Principal of the National Youth Orchestra of Wales.

Sebastian is Co-Principal of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, and has also worked as guest principal with many orchestras including the Philharmonia Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Welsh National Opera, Academy of St Martin in the Fields and the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland.

Sebastian also enjoys playing chamber music and has previously performed with London Concertante and Sinfonia Cymru. He is part of the teaching staff at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama as well as the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

When not behind a bass, Sebastian enjoys going on steam trains, playing darts and walking in the countryside.

David Stark

Section Principal | BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Associate | Royal Academy of Music
Tutor | Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
Tutor | National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain + National Children’s Orchestra

Born in London, David studied with Duncan McTier and Graham Mitchell at the Royal Academy of Music, graduating with a first class BMus in 2011.

In 2013, David took up the position of Principal Double Bass of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales in Cardiff. He is in high demand as a Guest Principal Double Bass with many of Europe’s leading ensembles, such as the London Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, and Mahler Chamber Orchestra.

In 2017, David joined the Academy of St Martin in the Fields as Associate Principal Bass. As a chamber player, David has also appeared at many festivals, including Penarth Chamber Music Festival, Dartington Summer School & Festival and Corbridge Chamber Music Festival.

David is now an Associate at the Royal Academy of Music and teaches Double Bass at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

He regularly gives masterclasses at many of the other music colleges throughout the UK, and has previously coached both the National Children’s Orchestra and the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain.

David plays on a William Fendt Double Bass 1848.

Mary Condliffe

Formerly Tutti Double Bass | Welsh National Opera Orchestra
Tutor | Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama / Junior RWCMD

Mary Condliffe studied the double bass at the Royal College of Music with Professor Michael Brittain. She subsequently worked as a freelance musician in London for several years.

She joined Welsh National Opera as a Tutti Player in 1984, and over the course of a distinguished career worked with some of the world’s best conductors, singers and orchestral musicians across 39 seasons! Mary took her final bow with the company in August 2023, and has since been enjoying the freedom to travel the world without worrying about her usual schedule commitments!

Outside of her playing career, Mary loves teaching: ‘Giving youngsters the skills to enjoy their own music making.’ She has almost 40 years’ experience as a double bass tutor, and has taught all ages from beginners to professionals. Many of her students have won awards, scholarships at the major conservatoires and several have gone on to gain positions in professional orchestras.

She has been a long-serving member of the teaching staff at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, including the Junior RWCMD. Mary is also involved with the European String Teachers Association and has written articles for the Double Bassist magazine.

Ashley Frampton

Assistant Principal | Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

After a busy and varied freelance career including three wonderful years with the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company, Ashley has been Assistant Principal Double Bass in the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra for over thirty years, having joined in 1991. Outside of his orchestral job, Ashley is a keen cricketer and captain of the RLPO cricket team.

Beyond his distinguished orchestral career, he is perhaps best known in the double bass community now for his tireless arranging and publishing work with Fourbass Music. His first bass quartet came after a request from the University of Liverpool for an ensemble piece, Mary Poppins’ Basses ensued and he has not looked back since!

You can find more of Ashley’s Double Bass Quartet arrangements on the Fourbass Music website, and also will get the chance to play some of them during Cardiff Double Bass Day! www.fourbassmusic.com