Edward Farmer is a British conductor and composer, and co-founder of the London Arts Orchestra (LAO).

Edward has studied conducting with internationally renowned Maestros Neeme Järvi and Paavo Järvi on their conductors’ academy in Estonia, and since 2011 he has travelled regularly to Philadelphia, USA to study with Maestro Leonid Grin. In 2011 he conducted at the Dartington International Festival, under the guidance of John Carewe, Steuart Bedford and Sian Edwards and has participated in the conducting classes of George Hurst, Kenneth Kiesler, Mark Shanahan and Peter Stark.

After first studying as a pianist and double bassist, Edward attended the composition class of the Royal College of Music in London with the support of a Constant and Kit Lambert Scholarship, the Kit and John Gander Award, and the Worshipful Company of Musicians.

Edward is best known for his recent success with London Arts Orchestra. Since it’s formation in 2009 the LAO has performed to audiences across London with dynamic and inventive performances which collaborate with other art forms. Highlights have included a semi staged performance of Peer Gynt with actors from Bristol Old Vic theatre school, Beethoven’s ‘Eroica’ introduced by comedian Mark Steel, and a memorable performance  of Mahler’s Fifth Symphony featuring newly commissioned a photography exhibition on life as a young classical musician in the modern day.

As a composer, Edward was a member of the Royal Opera House’s composer scheme ‘Vox’, working at covent garden for just over a year, developing his music with ROH singers and musicians. He has also written music for many short films, television documentaries, and theatre shows across the UK receiving a nomination for the European Film Music award at the Soundtrack Cologne Festival in 2007. Other recent engagements have included conducting at University College London, conducting film music recordings, and leading workshops for Drake Music, making orchestral music accessible to children with disabilities.

Despite a busy schedule, Edward has a small number of private piano and composition students who study with him on a regular basis in his studio in north London.