A Native of Belfast, Northern Ireland, Richard Blake trained as a chorister St George’s Parish Churchand very soon discovered the trumpet and piano. reading music at the University of York before deciding to specialise in trumpet at the Royal Academy of music, London, Richard was appointed to Principal Second Trumpet at the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in 2015. In 2021 he took the decision to return to freelancing full-time, and was quickly engaged for Principal Trumpet work with major ensembles including the BBC Symphony Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, and the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.