Camilla Follett, Planning and Personnel Manager

Camilla’s first experience at the Chamber Orchestra of Europe began in 2011. She was immediately taken by the orchestra’s unique sound and independent ethos, and made the most of the opportunity to combine her passions for music, travel and languages during several years of touring as COE’s Planning and Personnel Manager and Librarian. Highlights during these years included working with Nikolaus Harnoncourt and Bernard Haitink, as well as enjoying some great memories behind the scenes, including the creation of pop up cocktail bars in Graz and learning about oenology in Dijon. Camilla and her husband Jim also experienced the great honour of having a group of COE musicians play at their wedding in 2014.

In 2015 Camilla took a break from international touring to focus on spending time with her family. During this time she took on various freelance roles, including Festival Manager at Hatfield House Chamber Music Festival. She also spent some time in St Petersburg translating for the International Palace Festival, and studied for an MA in Post-Soviet Politics at UCL SSEES, gaining a distinction for her research into the impacts of state suppression of the media in Russia.

Despite enjoying the variation of her freelance lifestyle, Camilla was thrilled to be given an opportunity to re-join the COE team in 2022. Since returning to COE Camilla has enjoyed the challenges of balancing a busy touring job whilst looking after her two children and keeping up with her hobbies which include Taekwondo, playing chess and making macarons.