Biography

I started playing the double bass at 10 years old, after seeing the coolest person I had ever seen playing bass in a jazz band in Scarborough. He was at least 6 foot 5, wearing the smartest pinstripe suit and had a skunk stripe straight through the centre of his oil slicked hair. At that moment I knew I wanted to become a bass player. My family later moved to Edinburgh where I joined the City of Edinburgh Music School. Exposed to Jazz, Musical Theatre, Pop, Rock and traditional folk music, playing in bands and ensembles I participated in all genres and had my professional debut playing bass guitar in a production of Sunshine on Leith. Later I joined Glasgow band ‘Black Star Jackals’, we released 10 singles, amassed thousands of listeners on Spotify and toured the UK.

In 2017 I joined the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, where, under the tutelage of Anna Cordova Andres and Nikita Naumov, I started to study classical music. I had the opportunity to play with the Scottish Ensemble and it was whilst playing the Tchaikovsky string serenade that I first experienced the feeling of ‘bliss’. After this, I decided to pursue my passion for classical strings and the double bass. I graduated in 2022.

My first freelance professional engagement was a tour with a theatrical ensemble in a regional production of ‘Brief Encounter’. I also toured to the Middle East with the Manchester Camerata before I set my sights on a Master’s degree in London.  Looking to a classical career, I sought out Leon Bosch at Trinity Laban. During the first year of my Master’s degree, I played with various orchestras and, encouraged by my mentor, started to qualify for competitions. I also started a Double Bass duo with my friend Anton Pastushok and later with Elisabeth Bahlai.

During my second year I embraced solo and chamber music, playing a rich variety of concerts and venues including the Wigmore Hall. In 2025 I was invited to perform my first solo concerto with the Scarborough Symphony Orchestra. Whilst I continue to develop my solo career my intention is to become a respected member of a chamber orchestra. This opportunity to work with the Sinfonia Smith Square is an honour and I can’t wait to see what this year will bring.