Anya was born in Cambridge, in 1982. When she was 5 she began to learn the violin, taught by her mother. At the age of 7 she was awarded a scholarship to study at the Junior Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where she learnt with Faith Whiteley, Pauline Scott, and subsequently Katharine Gowers. Anya was 13 when she made her concerto debut, playing Mozart’s third violin concerto with the K239 Chamber Orchestra in Cambridge. At 16, Anya won a concerto prize at Junior Guildhall, which resulted in a performance of the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto with the Junior Guildhall Symphony Orchestra. During her time at Guildhall. Anya is a member of the Escuela Superior de Musica FAMA, Madrid, in the class of Professor Fatkouline. Anya has performed all over the world, most recently in France, Scotland, Hungary and Spain. In May 2004, as part of her duo, she was invited to give a televised performance in the North Cyprus International Music Festival. This was followed by two performances of the Dvorak Violin Concerto in Spain and England. Future engagements include the Beethoven Violin Concerto with the Suffolk Sinfonia, and a recital in Romania, whilst in the United Kingdom she is scheduled to give a number of recitals in London, the Midlands and the Alcester Music Festival.

Originally from Bedfordshire, Kate began studying the cello at the age of seven. She played principal cello in the Bedfordshire Youth Orchestra, Youth Chamber Orchestra and Youth Opera for many years, and has often performed locally as a soloist, most recently performing the Boccherini cello concerto with Bedford Sinfonia. Kate attended the Junior Department of the GSMD from the age of ten, where she was twice a finalist in the annual Lutine Prize and was awarded the String Prize in her final year. In June 2004 Kate graduated from a four-year degree at the Royal Academy of Music with a first class honours degree. Whilst there she studied with Paul Watkins and Josephine Knight and, as a member of various string quartets has given recitals around England and in Europe. As an orchestral musician Kate has performed under Sir Colin Davis, Yan Pascal Tortellier and Sir Charles Mackerras amongst others, in venues including the Royal Festival Hall, the Purcell Room and the Royal Albert Hall. She has recently returned from playing with Sir Elton John on his latest U.K tour!

Fiona Opie began studying the piano at age 5 and violin when she was 7 years old at Junior Guildhall. She switched to viola at the age of 17 when she changed teacher to Mark Knight. Whilst at Junior Guildhall she was principal viola of the string ensemble, and performed in many venues across London. She was invited to participate in a work experience scheme with the London Sinfonietta, where she led the violas. After winning the Barbican Music Shop prize at Junior Guildhall, Fiona continued her studies at the Royal Northern College of Music on a scholarship In February 2001 she went on tour to Romania and played Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante with the Arad State Philharmonic. In November 2002, Fiona was asked to play in an international orchestra in Strasbourg, performing for the European Parliament. In August 2004 she was invited to take part in a chamber music program in Ontario, Canada. At the beginning of December 2004, Fiona auditioned for the BBC Philharmonic access scheme, and was successful. She will be working with the BBC Philharmonic next year.

Rebecca Totterdell began the violin at the age of five with Paul Hill, a teacher of the Suzuki method in Reading, Berkshire. She met the other Avenas Quartet members five years later when she began to study with Faith Whiteley at the junior department of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. In her final year at the Guildhall she was awarded the Principal's prize, and second place in the Lutine Prize competition. Rebecca also played with the National Children's Orchestra for three years, and took part in chamber music masterclasses at the Guildhall, including one with David Dolan in the Wigmore Hall. She has performed as a soloist in, amongst other places, the Georgian Theatre, Richmond and The Purcell Room, South Bank, and in 2002 performed with the pianist Lora Dimitrova in a recital to raise money for the National Deaf Children's Society. Rebecca is now in her fifth year of study with Professor Serguei Fatkouline at his music school, Escuela Superior de Musica, FAMA, in Madrid.