Isabella Kernot

Isabella is a part-time doctoral student in Performance Science, supported by an RCM Doctoral Bursary.

Isabella’s research proposes that the long-term sustainability of professional orchestras – including their ability to innovate and diversify – must be considered in parallel with the working culture, training and wellbeing of orchestral musicians. Her PhD work explores players’ experiences of social wellbeing in the orchestral workplace, to understand what contributes to a positive, contemporary working environment. It builds on approaches in occupational psychology identifying potential relationships between environment, wellbeing and behaviour – looking to draw out, in very practical terms, the artistic and social implications of orchestral working culture.

Isabella’s research extends her MSc Performance Science dissertation project, also taken at the RCM, which explored reasons why orchestral musicians may choose not to take part in optional community/learning work with their ensemble. Findings from this project have been shared at the Trinity Laban Postgraduate Research in Music Education symposium, and industry events with the ABO and Harrison Parrott Foundation.

Isabella’s research questions also emerge from a long career working with orchestras in both concert production and learning and participation contexts. As Education & Community Director for the London Philharmonic Orchestra, she devised creative and inclusive programmes such as LPO Junior Artists, the first targeted UK orchestral programme for teenage instrumentalists from under-represented backgrounds, and the Open Sound Ensemble for young disabled musicians. She has also worked for organisations including LSO Discovery, the National Youth Orchestra, the BBC Concert Orchestra and BBC Proms, and Young V&A. Isabella has brought her particular interest and training in arts evaluation to roles with Young Sounds UK and Sound Connections. She is currently a Board Member for Hertfordshire Music Hub and works freelance and as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at RCM. 

Her supervisors are Neta Spiro, Aaron Williamon and George Waddell.