I grew up in a very musical household. As my mum is a clarinet teacher, I was fortunate enough to become familiar with classical music from a young age. My very first encounter with an oboe was attending a living room concert at the age of seven, excitedly sitting cross-legged on the floor of my piano teacher’s house. Immediately, I was mesmerised by the sound. I also enjoyed performing renditions of Queen songs on the piano and saxophone with my brother, for relatives whenever they came to stay!
I loved how the oboe gave me a sense of individuality as it was one of the less popular instruments in Cornwall, where I grew up. I took part in the Cornwall Music Festival many times and when I was twelve, I joined Cornwall Youth Orchestra, where my love for performing and discovery of orchestral music began. From 2014-2017, I played with the National Youth Wind Orchestra of Great Britain, which was hugely influential in my music making. With NYWO I was offered the position of principal oboe. In addition to performing in stunning locations such as the Swiss mountains, I made some life-long friends. As much as I found the prospect of venturing out of Cornwall exciting and travelling to various cities for different performances and competitions with Music for Youth, I will always be grateful for the opportunities I was immersed in back home.
I grew up in a very musical household. As my mum is a clarinet teacher, I was fortunate enough to become familiar with classical music from a young age. My very first encounter with an oboe was attending a living room concert at the age of seven, excitedly sitting cross-legged on the floor of my piano teacher’s house. Immediately, I was mesmerised by the sound. I also enjoyed performing renditions of Queen songs on the piano and saxophone with my brother, for relatives whenever they came to stay!
I loved how the oboe gave me a sense of individuality as it was one of the less popular instruments in Cornwall, where I grew up. I took part in the Cornwall Music Festival many times and when I was twelve, I joined Cornwall Youth Orchestra, where my love for performing and discovery of orchestral music began. From 2014-2017, I played with the National Youth Wind Orchestra of Great Britain, which was hugely influential in my music making. With NYWO I was offered the position of principal oboe. In addition to performing in stunning locations such as the Swiss mountains, I made some life-long friends. As much as I found the prospect of venturing out of Cornwall exciting and travelling to various cities for different performances and competitions with Music for Youth, I will always be grateful for the opportunities I was immersed in back home.
It soon became apparent that performing was what I truly wanted to do, and I studied my BMus at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, which I found an immersive, enriching experience. I thoroughly enjoyed the abundance of performance opportunities throughout the last four years. I continued with my musical education by completing my MA at Guildhall. During my time there, I studied with Fraser MacAulay, Alison Teale, Jane Marshall, Gordon Hunt and Steve Hudson - a dream combination! I was lucky enough to have been offered a place on the 2022/23 Orchestral Artistry course, which gave me an incredible insight into life as a professional orchestral musician. Working closely with the London Symphony Orchestra, participating in ‘sit ins’ and being coached on the finer details of orchestral oboe excerpts, allowed me to enjoy the challenge of understanding classical music further, delving deeper into the repertoire.
I love how music has the power to motivate people, create different atmospheres and that there’s always something new to explore. I feel this is a reflection of myself and how I love to travel to new places. This could be exploring a beach or cove in the Southwest, going to a football stadium or finding a hidden gem of a restaurant within a busy place like London.
EDUCATION
Guildhall School of Music & Drama
London, UK
Royal Academy of Music
London, UK
QUICKFIRE QUESTIONS
How would you persuade someone who has never heard ‘classical music’ before to come with you to a concert?
One of the amazing things about classical music is its power to evoke emotions and ability to expand the imagination of its audience. I think everyone should have a chance to witness and listen to a live orchestra because the power of music has no limits. I think many of the most acclaimed film soundtracks are heavily classical which generate energy from its rhythm and catchy-ness, similar to a lot of pop music today.
What do you do with your time when you’re not playing music?
I love spending time by the sea, trying out a new hot chocolate in a café, when I get the chance! I have always been a big football fan, whether it happens to be playing or supporting – there is such a huge sense of community at a match, and I’m always reminded how much I love this about the sport.
