Sibelius Academy Loans Stradivarius to Violinist Tuulia Hero

Hero is the violinist of the London-based Paddington Trio

The London-based Finnish violinist Tuulia Hero was recently been loaned a Stradivarius violin of 1707, thanks to the generosity of Finland's Sibelius Academy.

Hero is the violinist of the Paddington Trio, who recently received the Parkhouse Award. Formed in 2020, the trio also features the Irish cellist Patrick Moriarty and the American pianist Stephanie Tang.

Together, the ensemble won the 70th Royal Over-Seas League Competition for Strings and Piano Ensemble, and also took out First Prize at the Clara Schumann International Competition.

Hero is herself a graduate of the Sibelius Academy. She has also studied at Berlin's Hochschule für Musik "Hanns Eisler" and at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, learning from Levon Chilingirian, Adrian Brendel, and David Dolan.

"I’m so grateful to the Sibelius Academy for loaning me this fine instrument," Hero said. "Not only will it support me in further developing my own voice, it will richly contribute to the collective sound of our Paddington Trio. [I am] looking hugely forward to all concerts to come and would love to have everyone join us."