About Us

Duo Storioni are a professional violin duo based in Horsham, performing in and around West Sussex. We have wide ranging experience in entertaining at weddings, receptions, balls, banquets, corporate functions and other events. With our expertise we can advise you on suitable music for every stage of your event.

Being a duo also has practical advantages compared to a string quartet, where space is limited or in more intimate settings. A String Duo is also surprisingly affordable.

Chris Ham

Chris read music at King’s College, Cambridge, graduating with first class honours last year. Whilst at Cambridge, Chris played in many of the major University ensembles, including two years as principal second violin in the Cambridge University Chamber Orchestra. After winning one of the University’s Instrumental Award Scholarships, Chris played with the Shardlow Quartet for two years, with whom he has performed at such festivals as the Cambridge Music Festival, and the Lake District Summer Music Festival. Other highlights have included playing at the opening of the Li Ka Shing Centre at Addenbrooke’s Hospital by the Queen, and a reception at Buckingham Palace.

Chris is currently the Musician-in-Residence at Christ’s Hospital School, where he also teaches the violin. A music scholar whilst a pupil at Rugby School, he was also a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain for 3 years, performing with such distinguished conductors as Sir Simon Rattle and Sir Colin Davis. In 2002, Chris was also a Regional Finalist in the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition.

In the near future, Chris hopes to continue his studies at one of the Music Colleges.

Sara Stagg

Sara was born in Kenya 1979 and started the violin when she was seven. She has been performing in chamber ensembles from an early age, playing quartets for a wedding where royalty were present, at commercial functions, RAF events and even Masonic dinners! She has performed at the Southbank a number of times, playing duets in the Purcell room and leading an orchestra in the Queen Elizabeth Hall. She has also played in St. John Smith’s Square, and even sung grace before Tony Blair.

Sara has graduated from Manchester University with honours in music. She has also achieved a performance diploma and received masterclasses from both the Lindsay Quartet and Hugh Bean.

She is now heavily involved in local music making, leading two quartets that regularly perform, guest leading for the Dorking Chamber Orchestra and for a local string ensemble, and depping for many orchestras in the area. She also often performs solo pieces, both as recitals and at weddings. She teaches in schools and has numerous private pupils. Sara is now involved in producing a book called Violinbabies, starting very young children on the violin.