Mary Ward

 Mary Ward is originally from Belfast and started learning violin at the age of 10. After progressing though the Belfast, Ulster and Irish youth orchestras she crossed the water to Scotland to study at the RCS. She became a member of the second violins in Scottish Opera in 2004. A notion to play more viola drew her back to study a masters in performance in 2008 which led to her being appointed a member of the viola section of the BBCSSO in 2010. Mary currently shares her time between Scottish Opera and BBC. The viola is a fine instrument by the late Neil Ertz made in 2007.