David Gallant talks to the violinist about how he got started, the instruments he has played over the years and his all time favourite choice

“The violin that I have right now,” says Puente, holding a well-used instrument with a striking patina, “is the same violin that provided food for three generations. This violin is part of my family and I will never let it go; it’s priceless”. Puente grew up in Santiago de Cuba. “My grandfather,” he says, “was a carpenter who used to work for a rich family who bought a violin for their child. But the boy showed no interest, so they offered it to my grandfather. My father was given the violin and he had lessons and started to play the instrument. In the end, playing the violin allowed my father to pay for his career as a medical doctor.”

Byron Wallen will always remember his first trumpet teacher. He takes up the story. “In the very beginning I was having difficulty playing the trumpet, so I went to see my teacher. He told me that that my lips were too big and maybe I wasn’t meant for playing the trumpet,” Wallen says, laughing. “But you know, in a way I have to thank him, because that really motivated me to have a go at it.”

 “I’ve got this room upstairs in my house,” says Cawley. “It’s sort of like the culmination of all my childhood dreams, just full of keyboards and pianos.” Music’s always been at the heart of his life. “Dad’s an amateur flautist, and also collects musical ephemera, a sort of one man band. I guess it’s in the genes.” Piano lessons started when Cawley was six, and from there he attended Chetham’s music school in Manchester from the age of eight to 13, “all classical,” he says.