May Robertson

May Robertson joined Joglaresa in 2012 when Belinda Sykes, teaching at Trinity Laban, noticed a keen student in dire need of something more creative than her conventional ‘modern’ conservatoire training.

May managed to ace her studies, adding to her degrees from Cambridge University and the Royal Conservatory of The Hague. She also made four albums with Joglaresa, including Sing We Yule with Dame Emma Kirkby. She performed with the band at the International Medieval Congress, the York and Brighton early music festivals, and on BBC Radio 3. May’s role model during her early years with the band was her fidel colleague Sianed Jones.

In recognition of May’s contribution to vielle playing, the Brighton Early Music Festival recently invited her to co-found its resident medieval ensemble.

May is, however, primarily a baroque violinist. She has played Bach with Sigiswald Kuijken, Rameau with Frans Brüggen, and Monteverdi at the composer’s workplace in Mantua. She is also a singer with a hefty Cambridge choral training behind her. She has collaborated with leading folk musicians, theatre makers, and specialists in South Asian Dance. When not performing, May enjoys reading, hiking, and returning to her home territory of Cornwall to leap into the sea.