Adjudicators for String Classes 2026
Read about the adjudicators for our string classes.
Alison Moncrieff Kelly (‘Cello)
Alison Moncrieff Kelly is a highly experienced cellist, teacher, ABRSM examiner and performer who also has extensive experience leading large groups of tutors in early years, junior, secondary and higher education settings. She is a versatile leader in music education, training and performance, who has performed in national and international projects at a high level.
As a member of the ensemble Triangulus, Alison recorded the complete works of Hummel for piano trio, and has also recorded the complete works of Stanford for cello and piano, as well as a series of solo cello recordings.
Alison has been particularly involved with the training of talented young musicians. She has led programmes for inclusivity with children outside the mainstream musical profile, in particular in her work at Blackheath Conservatoire and Rye Arts Festival, where she set up successful outreach programmes.
Alison is an ABRSM grade and Diploma examiner. She has travelled widely as an examiner and has also given workshops and presentations as an ABRSM Teacher Consultant.
Alison was the ABRSM Cello Consultant on the current syllabus.
Together with renowned composer Thomas Hewitt-Jones, Alison recently published Cello Songs, the first book in a three book series of fun pieces for learner cellists published by Stainer and Bell.
Hilary Sturt (Violin)
Hilary Sturt is much in demand as a chamber musician, teacher and adjudicator. She studied the violin with Sheila Nelson, David Takeno and Felix Andrievsky, graduating from the Guildhall School of Music and the Royal College of Music with solo, chamber and contemporary music prizes.
As a violinist and violist she performed and recorded worldwide with Ensemble Modern for 20 years, including notable projects with Frank Zappa, Peter Eotvos and Pierre Boulez. As a chamber musician she has performed with the Rasumovsky Quartet, Apartment House, and more recently as a member of the Bingham Quartet.
Hilary was Head of Strings at St Paul’s Girls’ School for 24 years, and is Head of Chamber Music at the RCMJD and pedagogy tutor at the RCM. Her interest in teaching led to an MA in Education from UCL in 2018. Hilary has worked with the ABRSM as a Diploma examiner, as member of its advisory panels, recording Graded repertoire and also examines for the Music Teachers Board.
Hilary’s dedication to education and chamber music is fuelled by her husband’s homemade sourdough bread, their rescue dog and her passion for weaving.