Muriel Taylor was an exceptional person. Her simplicity, integrity, her musical talent and complete dedication to music and her students were coupled with a keen sense of humour and vivacity.
Muriel was born in England, but was brought up from an early age in Canada, and throughout her life she retained a great love for that country. She came back to England in her late teens to study with Herbert Walenn at the London Cello School and, later, with Feuermann and Mainardi. She was much influenced in her work by Max Rostal and Yehudi Menuhin.
She always had a deep love of chamber music. In 1939 Muriel, Robert Masters, Nannie Jamieson and Ronald Kinlock Anderson all met at Dartington Hall and became members of the chamber music group which was eventually to become internationally known as the Robert Masters Quartet. In 1955 Muriel became a much sought-after, admired and loved professor at the Royal Academy of Music.
When she became ill with leukaemia, she continued her teaching as long as her strength lasted, facing even death with humour and quuiet courage, making the best use of time left to her. Muriel died in 1971 and the first Muriel Taylor Scholarship for Cellists competition took place in 1972. There are 47 very talented cellists who have won the Muriel Taylor Scholarship since.