Mitch Belei

Mircea Belei (Mitch) is a Romanian-born British violist based in London, UK and is a keen orchestra and chamber music player. He has performed in venues with a great tradition such as Musikverein Vienna, Royal Albert Hall, Royal Festival Hall, Barbican Concert Hall, Cadogan Hall, etc. He has worked with many conductors including Vladimir Ashkenazy, Andres Orozco-Estrada, Stefan Vladar, Olaris Elts, Rafael Payare, John Axelrod, Sascha Goetzel, Leif Segerstam, Milan Horvat and soloists like Mstislav Rostropovich, Maxim Vengerov, Nigel Kennedy, Mihaela Ursuleasa, Julian Rachlin, Sharon Kam, Nicola Benedetti, Heinrich Schiff, to mention just a few. 

He very often performs as guest principal but also tutti viola, most notably London Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, London Concert Orchestra, London Metropolitan Orchestra, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, RTE National Symphony Orchestra, Britten Sinfonia, Ulster Orchestra, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Porto Symphony Orchestra, Transylvania Philharmonic Orchestra, International Orchestra of Styria, Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra, Graz Symphony Orchestra, Madeira Classical Orchestra, Tyrolean Opera House Innsbruck and the list goes on.

He studied viola at the Sigismund Toduta Music College in Cluj, Romania, with prof. Marinela Nan; "Gh. Dima" Music Academy in Cluj, Romania with prof. Marius Suarasan - member of The Transylvanian Quartet; University of Music and Performing Arts Graz, Austria; with prof. Matthias Maurer, former principal viola of the; Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Amsterdam.

Mitch is part of countless movies as a session player and a musician actor, worth mentioning Wonder Woman, Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation, Judy, Dumbo 2019, The Death of Stalin, Bohemian Rhapsody, The Crown, Enola Holmes 2, The Equalizer 3. 

​He was also involved in numerous recordings and performed alongside pop, electronic, rock and jazz musicians, some of whom are very well known: Melody Gardot, Public Service Broadcasting, Stewart Copeland, Jonny Greenwood and Royce Wood Junior.

​In addition to his orchestral projects, he is a devoted performer of chamber music and has given concerts with various chamber groups in Europe and Asia. He took part in numerous International Music Festivals in France, Austria, Romania, United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Portugal, Hungary, China and Hong Kong. 

He was a member of the Modulus quartet between 2015-2022. They have been touring the UK and Europe and have been broadcasted on different national and international radio and TV stations, including BBC Radio 3 - In Tune.

I combine technical precision with emotional awareness, encouraging expressive freedom and mindful playing. With over 25 years of orchestral and chamber experience, I guide students to play with confidence, depth, and presence.