I started playing the drums at just six years old, but I fell in love with the double bass aged 11. Classical studies were only one side of my initial musical experience, as at the same time as playing the double bass I played electric guitar, resulting in a rock music collaboration with some of my school friends. When I was 14 years old, I used to play in a Pantera heavy metal cover band, the Texan group being my favourite at the time.
After several years, I decided I would dedicate myself to the double bass entirely, and following my studies at the conservatoire in Lucca, I moved to London.
In the UK, my main education took place at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where I completed my master‘s in 2016. I then attended the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland for one year. During this period I played in several orchestras including Camerata Alma Viva, Orpheus Sinfonia in London and the AL Bustan Festival Orchestra in Beirut, as well as soloist appearances and an exciting collaboration as part of a double bass and violin duo.
The most amazing musical experience I have had so far has been performing Walton’s Symphony No.1 along with London Symphony Orchestra players, conducted by Simon Rattle in July 2015. I also loved touring as a soloist with the Young Musicians European Orchestra across Italy and Palestine in December 2016.
I have a home from home in East London where I often stay, and have become part of the Forest Gate Arts community. I have played concerts for local people in shop fronts and in the guest house where I stay - and even got involved in making soup for the local homeless shelter.
One of my passions has always been composition, and I have spent lots of my spare time composing ever since I was young. Other interests include chess and mathematics, which has always been my favourite subject, as well as swimming and bicycle rides.
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
Glasgow, Scotland
Guildhall School of Music and Drama
London, UK
Istituto Musicale Luigi Boccherini
Lucca, Italy
What is your favourite piece of music, and why do you love it?
Mahler’s Symphony No.3, for the amount of energy that it has transmitted to me since the first time listened to it, as well as the variety of its musical storytelling. I actually love each of his symphonies in the same way.
What do you do with your time when you’re not playing music?
Whenever I am not playing music I like to get to know people, look for inspiration elsewhere from the practise room, make plans for attending a concert or visiting overseas relatives.