Born in Herefordshire, I began playing the clarinet with my local music service. Although I enjoyed playing the clarinet, I decided it wasn't quite right for me and so I started to learn the bassoon. I had a great time playing in all the orchestras and ensembles that the Herefordshire Music Service offered and I think I realised quite early on that music was something I wanted to pursue further.
I studied at the Royal College of Music and whilst there I had a fabulous time on an Erasmus Exchange to the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague. Being completely hopeless at attempting to learn Czech, I did struggle with my lessons for the first few weeks. My teachers seemed to constantly say no to me. Whenever/whatever I played: ‘No.’ It was all highly upsetting until I later found out that in Czech, ‘no’ is the shortened version of ‘ano’ which confusingly means yes. After that revelation I enjoyed my studies much more. Studying in Prague made me realise how much I loved travelling and experiencing different cultures and so I am always on the hunt for fun musical opportunities abroad.
A few years ago I was invited to perform in Mumbai; I became hooked and have now been back five times. I undertook my master’s degree at Guildhall School of Music and Drama and had a great time studying on the Orchestral Artistry course. After graduating, I gained a place on the London Philharmonic Orchestra's Foyle Future Firsts Development Programme. As a freelancer I have performed with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra and the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House.
Guildhall School of Music and Drama
London, UK
Royal College of Music
London, UK
What’s on your playlist right now?
Glen Gould playing the Goldberg Variations (controversial, I know), Buddy Holly, The Nutcracker, Stan Getz and Motown Gold.
What do you do with your time when you’re not playing music?
I love to relax and spend time with my friends, eating, drinking and cooking delicious food together. I also attempt to be cultured at times and visit various exhibitions on in London. The National Gallery and Saatchi Gallery are favourites of mine, and I always find the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition very entertaining.