Appearances
Eastman Philharmonia, 2022-23; Academy Symphony Orchestra, 2019-22; National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, 2015-17; Brighton Youth Orchestra (Principal), 2012-18; Bowdoin International Music Festival, Brunswick ME, 2023; Atlantic Music Festival, Waterville ME, 2021; British Isles Music Festival, Godalming UK, 2019
Was there a teacher who was particularly impactful/helpful? What made this instructor stand out?
Pretty much every conductor I worked with at the Brighton and Hove Music Service (now Create Music). I started in their Saturday morning cello group and spent the next eleven-odd years working my way through every ensemble they had to offer. Andy Sherwood, Ian McCrae, Dan James (and many more)—every one of them made an orchestra an exciting place to be and pushed us all to give the best performance possible. I have no doubt that I would not be here today without their relentless enthusiasm and support.
What made you decide to become a musician? Was there a particular performance or person that influenced your decision?
I was in my local music service’s string ensemble and we had a gig with pianist Philip Fowke. We were playing a Bach keyboard concerto which we’d played already with one of his students. For whatever reason, playing with his student had been really really hard work, despite him being an excellent musician. From the first rehearsal with Philip, it was like a whole new piece. Everything fit together and was a million times easier to play. He also played a Chopin polonaise that absolutely blew my mind, proper goosebumps, funny-feeling-inside, grinning-like-an-idiot stuff. That was probably the first time I really experienced the spellbinding power a special performer can have over an audience. That really gave me the desire to be able to share that kind of experience with as many people as I could.
What is the most memorable performance you ever had?
My master’s recital. It was the first time I’d performed in a solo setting where I felt truly comfortable and was excited to be on stage.
What is your proudest achievement as a musician?
Being offered a scholarship to study at the Royal Academy of Music by the academy’s principal at my audition. It was really the first time that someone in a position of expertise had indicated that I had the capability to actually make a life for myself as a musician.
Is there a person or people you most respect in your field and why?
All the musical pedagogues who work with beginners. They really have the hardest jobs in our profession; introducing first-timers—young or old—to our world is one of the most daunting tasks imaginable.
Can you share any memorable onstage mishaps?
I was playing a Haydn trio at a summer music festival that had a pretty simple cello part, except for one fast passage right at the end that was preceded by pizzicato. When I went to switch back to arco, my bow slipped out of my hand and fell on the floor. I was so relaxed it was sort of an out of body experience to be looking at my bow on the floor while the music continued without me! In the end I missed the passage but picked it up in time to play the last couple of bars. I certainly don’t condone using that tactic on purpose, but hey, it worked!
Do you have a favorite non-classical musician or band?
How long have you got? I’ve gone through a lot: The Beatles, Arctic Monkeys, The Strokes, Yuck, Bombay Bicycle Club, Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind & Fire, Jackson Browne, Childish Gambino, Anderson .Paak, Bob Dylan, Ariana Grande, Mac Miller. Right now I’m on a strict course of Tony Bennett and Remi Wolf.
If you weren’t a musician, what would you be doing?
If I were dreaming, I’d say professional cyclist. More realistically I’d be a copy editor or proofreader.
What advice would you give your younger self or anyone starting out?
Don’t let the fact that you’re not exclusively obsessed with classical music make you believe that there isn’t room for you in this space. Music is a better, more interesting place when it is home to those from different classes, races, sexualities, genders, nationalities, and so on. You have as much to bring to the conversation (if not more) as those who have been steeping in this world their whole lives do.