Michael Cox is one of Britain’s foremost flute players. Born in England, he spent his childhood in Africa, and studied music at the Zimbabwe College of Music and the Royal College of Music in London. Early competitive successes led to a solo career that has included concerts and recordings on all continents and performances with major orchestras and conductors. As a chamber musician he has performed with many well-known British quartets, quintets and ensembles, and worked alongside musicians including James Galway and Murray Perahia, as well as being a member of the Haffner and Albion wind ensembles, London Symphony Chamber Players and London Sinfonietta. An interest in a wider repertoire led to a concurrent orchestral career, first as co-principal with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and then as principal flute of the London Symphony Orchestra, London Mozart Players and Britten Sinfonia. He is now principal flute chair at the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the Academy of St Martin’s in the Fields and London Sinfonietta. His particular interest in contemporary music has led him to work with composers such as Messiaen, Takemitsu, Dutilleux, Berio, Boulez, Tippett, Birtwistle, Stockhausen, Henze, Adams, Carter, Penderecki, Lutoslawski. Cox is professor of flute at the Royal Academy of Music in London. He plays on Altus flutes and has recently become an Altus Artist.