Poppy Ackroyd is a London-born composer, pianist and violinist who builds her music entirely from multi-tracked piano and violin - played with drumsticks, e-bows and plectrums as much as with conventional technique. Classically trained at the University of Edinburgh, she has released a string of solo albums on One Little Independent Records and is also a core member of Joe Acheson's live project Hidden Orchestra. Her 2024 BAFTA win (Best Animation, for the short film 'Stems' with filmmaker Ainslie Henderson) brought her work to a wider audience beyond the neo-classical world.
Poppy Ackroyd released her album 'Liminal' on June 5, 2026 via One Little Independent Records, her first full-length in five years.
In February 2026, Ackroyd announced 'Liminal' and shared lead single 'The Unknown', with the album described as written and recorded during a period of personal upheaval.
Ackroyd released 'Notes On Water' in 2025, a collaborative project combining her music with her father Norman Ackroyd's final etching, completed during his last months and released after his passing.
Ackroyd and filmmaker Ainslie Henderson won a BAFTA for Best Animation for their short film 'Stems'; their subsequent collaboration 'Shackle' won Best British Film at the London Animation Awards.
Her album 'Pause' received widespread critical acclaim from outlets including The Times, Stereogum, The Independent and Clash Magazine.
