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chi-chi nwanokuAn ex-sprinter and half the size of her double bass, Chi-chi Nwanoku has gained a reputation as one of the finest exponents of her instrument today. The eldest of 5 children from Nigerian and Irish parents, she was spotted at age 8 by an athletics coach and trained as a 100-metre sprinter, eventually competing at National level. After suffering a knee injury aged 18, she took up the double bass and actively pursued a career in music.
She studied at the Royal Academy of Music and with Franco Petracchi in Rome, and soon found herself in demand internationally, with a broad career performing and recording in a diversity of styles with many of Europe’s leading chamber orchestras and ensembles. |
Chi-chi is the Founder, Artistic and Executive Director of Chineke! Foundation, which supports, inspires and encourages Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) classical musicians working in the UK, Europe and further afield.
She is Professor of Double Bass Historical Studies at the Royal Academy of Music, where she was made a Fellow in 1998.
As a broadcaster, Chi-chi has presented and contributed to several BBC Radio 3 & 4 programmes, TV Proms, Jury member for BBC ‘Classical Star, and ‘mentor’ for the BBC 4 TV series ‘All Together Now, the Great Orchestra Challenge’.
Chi-chi is a trustee of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, London Music Fund, Tertis Foundation, and Council Member of the Royal Philharmonic Society. She served on the board of the Association of British Orchestras (ABO) from 2008 to 2013.
Chi-chi created the ABO/RPS ‘Salomon Prize’ which celebrates the “unsung heroes” working in the ranks of British Orchestras.
Chi-chi was awarded an OBE for services to Music in the 2017 Queen’s Birthday honours. She was one of the ‘100 - Happy List’ in the Independent on Sunday 2011. In 2016 she was made an Honorary Fellow of Trinity Laban Conservatoire and awarded ‘Person of the Year’ at the Black British Business Awards. Chi-chi was awarded the 2017 ABO Award for “the most significant contribution to orchestral life in the UK”.
Chi-chi remains a dedicated advocate of the importance of music in everyone’s lives and is committed to teaching and sharing her love of music.
She is Professor of Double Bass Historical Studies at the Royal Academy of Music, where she was made a Fellow in 1998.
As a broadcaster, Chi-chi has presented and contributed to several BBC Radio 3 & 4 programmes, TV Proms, Jury member for BBC ‘Classical Star, and ‘mentor’ for the BBC 4 TV series ‘All Together Now, the Great Orchestra Challenge’.
Chi-chi is a trustee of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, London Music Fund, Tertis Foundation, and Council Member of the Royal Philharmonic Society. She served on the board of the Association of British Orchestras (ABO) from 2008 to 2013.
Chi-chi created the ABO/RPS ‘Salomon Prize’ which celebrates the “unsung heroes” working in the ranks of British Orchestras.
Chi-chi was awarded an OBE for services to Music in the 2017 Queen’s Birthday honours. She was one of the ‘100 - Happy List’ in the Independent on Sunday 2011. In 2016 she was made an Honorary Fellow of Trinity Laban Conservatoire and awarded ‘Person of the Year’ at the Black British Business Awards. Chi-chi was awarded the 2017 ABO Award for “the most significant contribution to orchestral life in the UK”.
Chi-chi remains a dedicated advocate of the importance of music in everyone’s lives and is committed to teaching and sharing her love of music.
