Nick Cartledge

Nick is regarded as one of the most versatile musicians around, having won outstanding reviews of his solo performances in classical, jazz, pop and commercial music.  He studied flute at the Royal College of Music, winning a dozen awards during his time there.  He graduated with first class honours, and made his Wigmore debut with the guitarists John Williams and Carlos Bonell.

Having directed orchestras and chamber ensembles for a long time and been heavily invovled in a broad spectrum of educational work, Nick is excited to begin the next chapter of his musical journey as the Musical Director of Fleet Choral Society.

Nick's career has developed in several different directions.  He works widely as a freelance orchestral musician.  He has appeared as a soloist and chamber musician across the world, including performances at London's Royal Festival Hall, Purcell Room and Queen Elizabeth Hall, as well as in the USA, Russia, Canada and Europe.  He has also broadcast several times on BBC Radio 3, Classic FM and BBC World Service Radio.

Nick is in demand as a session flautist for films, TV and albums.  He regularly records at London studios such as Abbey Road, Air Lyndhurst, British Grove and Angel Studios.

Nick is also a composer/arranger.  His works have been heard on TV and Radio across the world and have been used as themes for several series.  Nick's composition for the film 'Checkmate' has won awards for best soundtrack at film festivals in Japan and Russia.  He has recently completed a set of 6 Preludes for solo piano.  Another piano suite is in progress, and a Mass for SATB choir and orchestra is also planned.

Away from his flute and composition work, Nick has for many years been active as a piano accompanist, and the leader of his own Jazz Trio.  He has also been active in music production, music, technology and recording.

Polina Gerasimenko (MMus)

Polina was born and educated in Russia, where she graduated with Distinction from one of the country's oldest music institutions, Saratov State Conservatoire of Music.  She was taught by Prof Nathan Benditsky, whose musical lineage goes back all the way to the legendary Russian pianist Anton Rubinstein.  She is a prize-winner of various national and international competitions and has performed extinsively in Russia, Italy and England.

Polina moved to the UK in 2005 and has subsequently worked as a piano tutor and accompanist at The Sixth Form College Farnborough and Lord Wandsworth College.  She also ran busy private teaching studios in Guildford and Fleet before switching career to software engineering in 2021.  Polina really enjoys working with Fleet Choral Society, which she has done since 2016.