Biography
My musical career started somewhat unintentionally. My mother has always loved the cello, and my older brother began learning when he was young. When he needed to move up to a larger instrument, my parents bought the wrong size. Somehow, that cello ended up with me, and I started learning too. So, unlike many musicians who can tell you the exact moment they fell in love with their instrument, my story begins with a slightly unfortunate shopping decision.
My path into music has taken a few detours. A serious injury meant I had to stop playing for almost a year, and family illness later meant that pursuing music was not always a practical option. During that time, I wasn’t sure whether music was the right path for me, so I completed a Master’s in Teaching and Learning to create a more secure career while remaining close to music. I enjoyed teaching and the different perspective it gave me, but I kept finding my way back to performing. I realised that, despite the uncertainty, I wasn’t ready to let go of music.
Over time, I have become less interested in the idea of what a musician is “supposed” to be and more interested in the kind of musician I want to become. I love the excitement of performing in a concert hall, the atmosphere of festivals and, admittedly, I do enjoy a good round of applause. But what stays with me most is the feeling of bringing music to people who may not normally have access to it, or who simply have not yet discovered that they love it. I want to build a career that allows me to perform at a high level while making classical music feel less distant and more accessible.
Outside of music, I love travelling, hosting dinner parties and finding excuses to get creative with arts and crafts. I also have a growing list of things I would like to try, with archery currently somewhere near the top—although I suspect my cello will remain the instrument I spend the most time wrestling with.