Ever since my older sister came home from her first violin lesson, I knew that I needed to play it too! I was too young at that age so later when I was 6, I took my chance and learnt to play. Sibling rivalry was definitely a factor at the start, but I knew from my first lesson, this was my instrument, and this was what I wanted to spend the rest of my life doing.
Ever since my older sister came home from her first violin lesson, I knew that I needed to play it too! I was too young at that age so later when I was 6, I took my chance and learnt to play. Sibling rivalry was definitely a factor at the start, but I knew from my first lesson, this was my instrument, and this was what I wanted to spend the rest of my life doing.
Since my first lesson, I was playing in small ensembles and then large ensembles and my love for the violin grew more and more. I was fortunate to be a part of National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, as well as spending my Saturdays at the Royal College of Music Junior Department. I was immersed in music at least once a week and Saturdays became my favourite day of the week. At 13, I attended Marlborough College, which is renowned for academics and sports, however, none of that excited me. This just made my love of RCM JD stronger as I got to spend the whole day making music and understanding it with others who felt the same way but, in the week, I was fortunate to be getting a great education.
It was at Marlborough that I first heard about Southbank Sinfonia. We did yearly side by side projects and they were my favourite 4 days in the whole school year. In my last year I was chosen to play Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto as part of the side-by-side concert and I will never forget finishing the first movement with all these amazing players and knowing that one day, if I continue to work hard, I would be a part of that orchestra. I am so grateful to say that that day has come.
Covid was particularly hard on the Arts and showed me the world of teaching as it was the main way I could make sure I was playing my violin every day. I got to pass on my passion to others and share everything I had learnt from all my professors over the years from the Royal Academy of Music and Boston University College of Fine Arts.
After things started to open up again, I began freelancing which included joining the Heritage Orchestra alongside Pete Tong. But, having the opportunity to join Southbank for this future year is the most exciting thing that has happened since 2020. I may need to spend less time at the gym or finding the newest brunch spots, but I know it will be worth it.
EDUCATION
Boston University College of Fine Arts
Boston, USA
Royal Academy of Music
London, UK
OTHER PROJECTS
Heritage Orchestra
QUICKFIRE QUESTIONS
How would you persuade someone who has never heard ‘classical music’ before to come with you to a concert?
I have to try and do this constantly as a lot of my friends aren’t musicians, and my question to them is, would they ever listen to a film without the sound, would they ever go to a pop concert and just hear the singer but no band backing them? Usually the answer is no, which I quickly follow with the fact that all music they listen to now stems from classic music. There is also such a stereotype of what classical musicians must look like/act like which is just so untrue. Most people I meet are shocked that I spend my time in a room with others playing a violin. By this point, most people I talk to want me to stop talking so they agree to come and I am yet to introduce classical music to someone and them not come out of finish the song by saying “you were right”.
Where’s your favourite place to listen to music and why?
On a dog walk in the countryside near my mum's house. The music enhances the beautiful scenery I have the fortune of living so close to. It brings the music alive, and I can walk for hours before realising I should probably go home.
