Biography

Willard embarked on his musical journey in the world at the age of 4, commencing cello lessons under the tutelage of Elizabeth Anderson. At the age of 8, Willard became a chorister at Wells Cathedral School which was a pivotal moment in his artistic development. In 2013, he moved to the Purcell School of music, where he learned under the guidance of Alexander Boyarsky, and extending his studies while deepening his love of chamber music at the Junior Department of the Royal College of Music.

Willard began a new chapter in his musical career in 2018, when he began studying with the eminent Ivan Monighetti at the Escuela de Musica Reina Sofia in Madrid, a city steeped in musical history.

In 2023, Willard's pursuit of artistic development has led him to The Barenboim-Said Academy in Berlin, where he is now learning under the expert guidance of Frans Helmerson. 

In July 2023, he had the privilege to take the stage at the Gstaad Menuhin Festival, delivering his first solo recital in the festival. 

He’s been fortunate enough to perform on various international stages, including the Radio Classique Festival in St Malo in 2022, where he received an invitation to return for the 2023 festival. At the Gstaad New Year Festival, the Auditorio Nacional in Madrid, and has performed recitals across England, Switzerland, France, and Germany.

Notable moments in his career include a recital at the Solsberg festival in Switzerland in May 2021, a performance of the Brahms double concerto at the Teatro Romano in Merida for the Queen of Spain in June 2021, broadcast live on television, and a performance of the Elgar cello concerto with the Gstaad Festival Orchestra in August 2021.

Willard's artistry has resonated in distinguished venues like The Wigmore Hall, The Charterhouse, The Goldsmiths Hall, Buckingham Palace, and Windsor Castle. His performance at Buckingham Palace in May 2019, later broadcast on Classic FM, earned him the honor of being recognized as a Rising Star for Classic FM.

His musical journey has taken him across England and to various destinations in Italy, including Pratovecchio, Poppi, Loreto, Osimo, and Recanati. He has also played on stages in New York, Berlin, and Paris.

In his journey to find himself as an artist, Willard has participated in masterclass weeks with renowned cellists Ivan Monighetti, Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt, and Jens Peter Maintz in Germany, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. His dedication to musical education has led him to masterclasses at IMS Prussia Cove, the Heifetz Academy, and the Daniel Hope academy. 
Throughout his journey, Willard has been fortunate to receive mentorship from extraordinary musicians, including Vasily Petrenko, Jaap Van Zweden, Ben Palmer, and Guy Johnson. 

Willard plays a fine cello by Vincenzo Postiglione, dated 1893, graciously provided by a private sponsor.