Catherine Ardagh-Walter was born in Winchester, Hampshire and commenced 'cello studies at the age of seven. After studying with Eileen Croxford, Philip de Groote and Amaryllis Fleming, she graduated from the Royal College of Music in 1989 with the Performers' Diploma and major prizes and went on to perform throughout England as a duo-recitalist with the pianist, Emily Jeffrey. Performances included a series of recitals at St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square, live broadcasts on Classic FM and a debut recital at the Purcell Room. Catherine took up her post as 'cellist with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in 1995 and in addition to her work with the orchestra she has a busy schedule of teaching and Chamber Music Performing. She is a cello tutor at Birmingham Conservatoire, and has appeared with the Birmingham Ensemble and Birmingham Contemporary Music Group. She regularly plays as part of the CBSO's 'Centrestage' Chamber series and has enjoyed working with artists such as Akiko Suwanai, Paul Lewis, Truls Mork, Peter Donohoe, Christian Tetzlaff and Baibe Skride. Catherine has two small boys who keep her laughing and plays on an Italian cello made in 1560 by Gaspar da Salo.