Member Profiles

Alvaro Hurtado, Clarinet

Originally from Madrid, Alvaro Hurtado began learning the clarinet at the age of eight at the Conservatorio Profesional de Música de Majadahonda. From an early age, he developed a passion for music through performing with the Children's Chorus at Teatro Real in Madrid. After moving to the UK, he studied at the Junior Guildhall School of Music with Peter Sparks before continuing his training at Chetham's School of Music under Andrew Wilson. He then completed his undergraduate studies at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland with John Cushing. During this time, he participated in masterclasses with Anthony McGill, Oliver Janes, and Nicolas Baldeyrou.

Alvaro is currently studying on the Orchestral Performance master's programme at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, where he is taught by Robert Plane, Nicholas Carpenter, and Will White. Through the college's orchestral placement scheme, he has performed with both of Cardiff's resident orchestras, the Welsh National Opera and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. Recent highlights include performing Berio's Folk Songs with Ensemble 360 as part of a Side-by-Side project, and Anna Clyne's Overflow with Lumas Winds. A passionate chamber musician, Alvaro performs regularly in a variety of ensembles.

As a member of Pandura winds, he is looking forward to explore lesser-known music and collaborate with composers to help promote new music.

Svetlana Nanda, Bassoon

Svetlana Nanda is an British bassoonist of Indian descent hailing from Hertfordshire currently studying at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama as a bassoon scholar with Steve Marsden and Llinos Owen. She is the first bassoonist to be selected for the London Symphony Orchestra’s prestigious Pathways Scheme (2025–2026), where over the two years she is studying with Martin Field and gains orchestral experience through coaching, rehearsals and performances alongside members of the London Symphony Orchestra.

Recent highlights include performing at the LSO’s 2026 BMW Classics concert in Trafalgar Square, appearing in the Chineke! Orchestra at the 2026 Association of British Orchestras Conference, performing in a BBC National Orchestra of Wales side-by-side project through the National Youth Orchestra of Wales, and a Welsh National Opera side-by-side project through the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama.

She is Principal Bassoon of the National Youth Orchestra of Wales (2025 & 2026) and performs regularly with RWCMD orchestras, musicals and chamber ensembles. During this time she has had masterclasses with André Rocha, Amy Harman, Jon Davies and Helen Storey. She is also a member of Chineke! Junior Orchestra, where she serves as Junior Representative on the Players’ Committee.

Looking ahead, she is looking forward to taking up the role of Bassoon Apprentice at the 2026 Southwell Music Festival, where she will perform with the Festival Sinfonia and take part in chamber music projects across the festival.

Alongside her performance work, Svetlana has developed an interest in music education and outreach, having led workshops since the age of sixteen. Recently completing student placement with National Children’s Orchestras of Great Britain, she also worked on Welsh National Opera’s Future Folk pilot project in schools, and participated in the Little Concerts’ series ‘Bassoon in the Room’ - an interactive concert series introducing young children to the bassoon through storytelling and live performance.

As a member of Pandura Winds, she is committed to creating imaginative chamber programmes, championing underrepresented composers, and developing engaging performances that connect with audiences through innovative and collaborative programming.

Harry Linegar, Flute

Harry Linegar is an MMus Flute Performance student at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Southampton, where he studied under Barbara Brown, who has worked extensively with Welsh National Opera. During his time in Southampton, Harry held the positions of Principal Flute of the University Symphonic Wind Orchestra and Principal Piccolo of the University Symphony Orchestra, gaining extensive orchestral and leadership experience. He also spent time as Principal Flute of the Havant Symphony Orchestra. At the conclusion of his undergraduate studies, Harry was awarded the 2024 Peter Evans Prize for Outstanding Musical Performance in recognition of his musical achievement and contribution to the department.

Harry has thrived at the Royal Welsh College, becoming a finalist in their 2026 Concerto Competition, and a finalist in the Sir Ian Stoutzker Prize. Harry has shown deep interest in music of the late 20th and 21st centuries, having performed such pieces as Ibert’s Jeux and the infamous Zoom Tube. He has participated in masterclasses with internationally renowned flautists including Emily Beynon (Principal Flute, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra) and Elizaveta Ivanova (First Prize Winner, 2024 Concours de Genève), and has held his own as 1st Piccolo with the BBCNOW in collaboration with the Royal Welsh College working through pieces such as Shostakovich Symphony No.10.

Alongside his work as a flautist, Harry is an active conductor and multi-instrumentalist, with experience as Musical Director of both the Southampton University Symphony Orchestra and String Orchestra, as well as Conductor for the Yehudi Menuhin School Surrey Music Academy Courses. Recently, he has also taught conducting at Chichester University. He is also an accomplished bassoonist, having previously held the position of Principal Bassoon of the Southampton University Chamber Orchestra and performed as a contrabassoonist with ensembles such as the Guildford Youth Symphony Orchestra, and Cardiff University Symphony Orchestra.