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I was lucky enough to be given a government-assisted specialist music scholarship to The Purcell School in 1981, at the age of 14. This pivotal opportunity made it possible to continue violin studies with Leonard Hirsch and Eric Gruenberg. I was able to dedicate fully to music within a community of highly talented peers, practising four to five hours a day and gaining invaluable experience through daily performance opportunities such as the School’s lunchtime concerts.
This foundation led to awards from the Craxton Memorial Trust and the Martin Trust, an ARCM with Honours at just 16, and that summer the English Speaking Union Menuhin Scholarship to study in Banff, Canada.
At 17, I auditioned successfully for the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, taking up a place in 1984. I left the Guildhall in 1988 with two job offers- one from the Northern Sinfonia and the other as Sub Leader of the BBC Radio Orchestra.
A distinguished professional career followed, with membership of the first Violins of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the English Chamber Orchestra, the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra, the Los Angeles Opera, and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, as well as recording for numerous Hollywood productions.
Now retired, giving back to the next generation of musicians is extremely important to me. I am the chair of the Haslemere International String Competition, run by the Waverley Ensemble (an Izk charity). Artistic Director of the Issigeac International Music Academy in France, and member of the International Advisory Board of the English Chamber Orchestra.
