Born and raised in London of Vincentian and Jamaican-Indian heritage, Esther Williams began playing the violin at the age of four. She taught herself music theory, the piano, guitar, descant recorder and alto saxophone and, by the age of 16, was adept on eight instruments, including the one that would define her musical journey: the oboe. She now has a burgeoning freelance career, performing regularly with orchestras such as the BBC Concert Orchestra, Chineke! (including at the BBC Proms, televised on BBC Four), and the Heritage Orchestra. She appears regularly at the Royal Albert Hall accompanying artists such as RAYE, Alicia Keys, Craig David, Angélique Kidjo and Beverley Knight. She has performed with Stormzy at the O2 Arena, recorded for clients including Apple Music and Netflix, and has been invited to perform all over the world, including the USA, Guadeloupe, Thailand and across Europe.

 

Following her undergraduate studies at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (where she recently returned to give a masterclass), Esther is currently undertaking a Masters in Music at Staatliche Hochschule für Musik Trossingen, studying with world-renowned oboist, Nicholas Daniel OBE. She has participated in masterclasses with François Leleux, Sarah Francis, Albrecht Mayer, and Heinz Holliger, and received tutelage from oboists such as John Anderson and Gordon Hunt. Alongside her studies and performing career, Esther teaches privately, and at the Royal Hospital School.

  

Esther sits as Treasurer on the Board of Directors of the International Double Reed Society (IDRS). Committed to securing racial equality in the music industry, she is a member of several committees, including those of the British Double Reed Society, and the Royal Academy of Music’s (RAM) Equality, Diversity & Inclusion. She serves as a Woodwind Mentor for Chineke! Junior Orchestra, and regularly leads workshops and summer programmes at RAM, which includes conducting her own woodwind arrangements.