Kosta Popovic, Cello with Luke Lally Maguire, Piano

Born into a musical family in Podgorica, Montenegro in 2000, the outstanding young cellist, Kosta Popović, completed his primary and secondary music education at the Vasa Pavić School of Music and Ballet in Podgorica under the tutelage of his father, Professor Mladen Popović.

In April 2017, following his move to the UK, he was awarded The Headmaster’s music scholarship at the prestigious Whitgift School. In September of that year, he won a scholarship to attend the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where he studied with the renowned cellist and pedagogue Louise Hopkins, graduating in 2023 (where he is now pursuing his Master’s degree).

A founding member of the award-winning Fibonacci Quartet (who performed for us in our 2024/25 season) he regularly performs as a soloist, chamber and orchestral musician in numerous concerts and at music festivals in the UK and abroad. Notable performances include BBC Radio 3 In Tune, Schiermonnikoog Chamber Music Festival and Art Amanti Chamber Music Festival. Most recently Kosta won the 71st Royal Over-Seas League Music Competition (Chamber Music) and The CAVATINA Chamber Music Competition.  Kosta’s Postgraduate studies are supported by the Ian Fleming Award, the Countess of Munster Musical Trust Study Grant and the Derek Butler Trust.

Luke Lally Maguire is a London based pianist currently studying at Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where he has recently completed his Masters in Performance.  Luke is continuing his studies at Guildhall on the Artists’ Diploma Programme under the tutelege of Carole Presland, Charles Owen and Ronan O’Hora.  An experienced performer both in competitions and on the concert platform, Luke made his solo recital debut at the National Concert Hall, Dublin, in January 2023.  In February 2023, Luke performed at Wigmore Hall as part of the Irish Heritage Music Bursary auditions, where he was the recipient of the Music Bursary for Performance and in 2024, he won first prize in the 2024 Glass Sellers Beethoven Prize at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

A versatile pianist, Luke is also in demand as an accompanist and chamber music player and is a member of Trio Casella, a multiple award winning London-based piano trio.