Jonny Best

PIANO

Jonny studied piano at Chetham’s School of Music and drama at University of London - and the combination of music and dramatic storytelling has run through his career ever since. He began as a pianist and musical director in West End and regional musical theatre, before moving into directing and joining the RSC as an assistant director. He joined the National Theatre as Associate Director to Trevor Nunn, and then spent time on staff at the Royal Opera, English National Opera and Opera North. He’s worked in classical music with bands including City of London Sinfonia, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, and Aurora, and arts festivals including Queer Up North International Festival, Festival of the North East, and Classical Sheffield. In 2014, he returned to his roots as a pianist and began accompanying silent film.

Jonny is now one of BFI Southbank's house pianists and performs regularly around the UK and internationally, most recently with the International Film Festival of India, Leeds International Film Festival, Hippodrome Silent Film Festival, and International Film Festival of Kerala. Jonny founded Northern Silent Film Festival and researches contemporary and historic silent film accompaniment practices. He’s also a founder member of Frame Ensemble, and a Clore Leadership Fellow.