My musical life started when I was six during a wet summer's day. I had been complaining of feeling bored and my mum handed me a recorder and a 'teach yourself' manual. By the end of the summer holidays I had become quite proficient, so my parents organised recorder lessons. I soon progressed to Grade 5 and my teacher introduced me to the flute. From that moment I knew what I wanted to do with my life. Before long I had reached Grade 8 and my teacher told my parents she could take me no further. I applied to the conservatoire junior departments and took up a place at the Royal College of Music. I was still very young and my dad took me to London every Saturday until I was old enough to travel on my own. Music is such a big part of my life, but I still have time to paint, play darts and meet up with my many friends
 

Education

After A levels I was offered a place at the Royal College of Music senior college, where I studied for a B. Mus, followed by a Post Graduate Diploma. Whist at the Royal College I signed up for every single opportunity to perform and soon became Principal Flute of the RCM Symphony Orchestra. I entered every flute competition and won all of them, culminating in the RCM Concerto Prize
 

Freelance performing career

Professional orchestras with whom I have performed include:

• London Philharmonic Orchestra
• Philharmonia Orchestra
• Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
• BBC Symphony Orchestra
• BBC National Orchestra of Wales
• BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
• BBC Concert Orchestra
• Aurora Orchestra
• Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
• Welsh National Opera
• Royal Northern Sinfonia
• Britten Sinfonia
• Symphony Orchestra of India

My work has taken me to every major concert hall in the UK and Europe, and to the USA, Mexico, Japan, India, China, Thailand, Singapore, UAE and Saudi Arabia. I have had the privilege of working with so many wonderful musicians, conductors and composers. I never tire of playing the established repertoire and I relish the opportunity to play new music

Teaching

I have been teaching flute for more than 30 years, both as a private tutor and in various schools and colleges. I have held flute teaching posts at the Royal College of Music Junior Department in London, the Royal Hospital School in Holbrook and Framlingham College. The vast majority of my students achieve Distinction in all grades, including Grade 8 and Diploma, and all of my students have achieved 100% in their GCSE and A-level performance

To hear more

Please follow the links to my Flute Tuition and Performance pages and get in touch via the Contact Me page