About.
Sally Hawkins is an accomplished and in-demand oboe, cor anglais and violin player based in Manchester. Classically trained and grounded in folk, she is a versatile performer whose career spans a wide range of musical worlds, including orchestral, folk and contemporary music.
Originally from Lewes in East Sussex, Sally began her musical journey gigging around Sussex and Kent with her family ceilidh band, The Motley Band. Her formal classical training began with the East Sussex Music Service, leading her to study at Trinity College of Music, London, with Tess Miller and Andrew Knights (oboe/cor anglais), and Andrew Sherwood (violin).
Sally’s current work includes performing with Bellowhead, the eight-time BBC Folk Award winners, on oboe and violin. She joined the band for their sell-out UK tours from 2022 onwards. With Bellowhead, she recorded the theme tune for the prime-time BBC One series Beyond Paradise at Rockfield Studios and has appeared on screen in two TV Christmas specials.
She also performs with Jon Boden’s band, The Remnant Kings, with whom she released Parlour Ballads in 2024 and toured the album across the UK, including appearances at festivals such as Beautiful Days, Shrewsbury Folk Festival and Tradfest, Dublin.
Most recently, Sally founded Blackwing & Bow, a folk and country-inspired covers duo, with singer Nicola Williamson. Much in demand, they perform regularly across Greater Manchester.
As an original member of the London Breakbeat Orchestra, the UK’s first EDM 32-piece orchestra, Sally recorded BBC Radio 1 Live at Maida Vale sessions, performed at major UK festivals and collaborated with Swedish House Mafia. As a session musician, she has recorded at Abbey Road and AIR Studios in London and has performed with numerous artists and bands, including support slots for Echo & the Bunnymen and Focus. She also appeared on violin in the stage visuals for Muse’s Absolution tour!
As a classical artist, Sally performed as oboe soloist at the Royal Albert Hall, London, for the world premiere of John Tavener’s Ekstasis. She has also performed at countless prestigious venues across the UK, Europe and the USA as an orchestral and chamber musician. Her work has included performances at awards ceremonies and private functions at venues such as the Dorchester Hotel and the Natural History Museum in London, as well as playing in bands for musical theatre productions, operas and ballets in London and the South East.
Alongside her performing career, Sally teaches instrumental music, delivers Early Years music classes and works as a freelance arts marketing consultant.