I began playing my clarinet at the age of 9 and my sax at the age of 11 achieving grade 8 at the age of 13. Music has been the love of my life. I studied music at Huddersfield University where I gained my BA(hons) and then went on to the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama to do my post graduate diploma in performance. It was there that I won the Governors Recital prize in woodwind and went on to perform as a professional freelance clarinettist with the Royal Scottish Orchestra, Scottish Ballet Orchestra, Scottish Opera and many ensembles and theatre companies.
I also began my teaching career up in Scotland teaching in several schools in Perthshire and Fife.
I moved back to Stoke-on-Trent in 2001 where I have been working as a woodwind teacher in Staffordshire and I continue to play for local theatre companies, big bands and orchestras.
In September 2017 I will start my new job as Director of Music at Edenhurst Preparatory School in Newcastle which I am really looking forward to.
My first experience as a Wessex tutor was 21 years ago but after moving to Scotland it was too far to travel every year. I was really lucky to be asked to return last year where I had the pleasure to meet both old and new members of staff.
Wessex is such a privilege to be a part of and holds a special place in my heart.
