Helen Ward, Electric Violin

Helen studied the violin at the Guildhall School of Music. She has worked with numerous Orchestras including the BBC Radio Orchestra, the RPO, the London Mozart Players, the City of London Sinfonia, the London Pro Arte, the National Symphony Orchestra, the British Philharmonic and was the assistant leader for both the London City Ballet and the New D'Oyly Carte Orchestra. Helen plays solo violin for Pimlico Opera and has performed for English Touring Opera, Travelling Opera Company and the Royal Ballet Sinfonia. She has played in many West End shows including Chess, Martin Guerre, Les Miserables, The Beautiful Game, Whistle down the Wind and Chicago.

Tansy Aked, Keyboards

Tansy is a classically trained Pianist and has spent the last ten years as a Musical Director, Pianist and Keyboard Player in the West-End and at the Royal National Theatre playing for over 40 shows such as Phantom, Cats, Superstar, Les Miserables, Evita, Fame, Beauty & the Beast and Scrooge to name a few.

On the classical front Tansy has performed at the Royal Albert Hall and The Queen Elizabeth Hall, has played for a number of major films including Bridget Jones Diary and Mrs Henderson Presents, and performed the solo piano score for the BBC’s How Proust Can Save Your Life starring Ralph Fiennes featuring the piano music of Chopin and Debussy.

Richard Ward-Roden,
Electric Cello

Richard studied Cello at the Royal Northern College of Music and graduated in 1992. In the last ten years he has worked with many of the UK's leading orchestras and has worked extensively in the West End on shows such as Cats, Joseph, Miss Saigon, Sunset Boulevard, Mack and Mabel, Beauty and the Beast, Oliver, and is currently playing for Les Miserables. As a classical cellist he works as a recitalist throughout the UK and is currently cellist with Trio Fuego. Richard has made many apperances on TV and Radio including recording The Little Prince and In Quest of Joseph Emedy for BBC Radio 4.

Mike Smith, Drums

Mike is one of the country's best known drummers, and played with the BBC Big Band for 10 years. He has had the pleasure of working with many of the top names in the business including Sting, Elton John, Cleo Lane, Shirley Bassey, Evelyn Glennie, Larry Adler, Georgie Fame, George Shearing and John Williams to name a few. He has also worked extensively in the West End, on shows including, Hot Shoe Shuffle, Beauty and the Beast, The Witches of Eastwick, Mamma Mia,Chicago and Guys and Dolls. Mike has recorded numerous albums and played on many of the major movie soundtracks.

A highly talented and creative group of five musicians, using the latest in instrument technology, bring you some of the greatest Orchestral pieces of our time, including:

The Planets, Brandenburg Concertos, Blue Danube, Carnival of the Animals, Pictures From an Exhibition, Peer Gynt, Clair de Lune, Hoedown, Eine Kleine Nachtmusik … to name a few…

The aim of ECG is to stay true to the composers’ integrity, while at the same time introducing an exciting and contemporary feel.

ECG can be tailor made to suit any event – from big open air concerts to private parties and corporate events

Steve Richardson, Music Director, Chapman Stick, Guitar and Bass

Steve founded ECG with a view to playing the music of the classical greats which traditionally has been the domain of the Symphony Orchestra. Steve has created an electric ensemble which can perform these great works without watering them down. The whole aim of ECG is to stay true to the original composers' integrity, but at the same time adding an exciting and contemporary feel by approaching them in a new and exhilarating way.

Steve is one of the country's leading TV session musicians, plays and records with the LSO and the RPO, and is an established film composer.

A highly talented and creative group of five musicians, using the latest in instrument technology, bring you some of the greatest Orchestral pieces of our time.

ECG has a dramatic set-up with the musicians standing on different levels of risers, choreographed lighting and pyrotechnics, and a unique musical sound that has the power of a symphony orchestra.

ECG can be tailor made to suit any event – from big open air concerts to private parties and corporate events.

Click the repertoire button to the right to see examples of ECG's repertoire.