Biography

I don’t come from a particularly musical family, so when I was introduced to the violin at age seven through a school music scheme, I jumped at the opportunity to learn something new and fell in love instantly! Since then, the violin has become my refuge. Growing up as the odd one out at school, I spent all my time in the music department, where I felt safe. Everything changed when I joined the National Children’s Orchestra at age ten, and suddenly I was surrounded by young musicians who understood me. I belonged.

A defining moment came in 2015 when I joined the Junior Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Growing up in Bath meant 5am Saturday wake-ups for London, but it was always worth it. I’ll never forget my first week, playing Shostakovich’s Sixth Symphony and thinking, “this piece is absolutely insane, but I love it!” Orchestral music became my calling. I thrived there, eventually leading both the Symphony Orchestra and Senior String Ensemble. My most life-changing moment came performing at the BBC Proms with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain. Standing on stage at the Royal Albert Hall, playing Mahler’s Ninth under Sir Mark Elder, I felt completely alive. As the final notes faded and the audience erupted, tears streamed down my face. I knew this feeling of creating something beautiful with others was what I wanted forever.

University wasn’t always easy. At the Royal Academy, I initially struggled to find my place, but I threw myself into everything available—from solo work, chamber music, and orchestral projects to opera and musical theatre. This exposure across different musical contexts gave me confidence and helped me understand what kind of musician I wanted to become. Earning a scholarship to return to Guildhall for postgraduate study changed everything. There, I truly found my voice, particularly through performing Roxanna Panufnik’s Hora Bessarabia, which involved stomping as well as playing, perfectly matching my quirky personality. Sitting in on London Symphony Orchestra rehearsals was another highlight and taught me that authenticity matters more than perfection.

Since graduating, I’ve been building my career as a freelance violinist while maintaining my passion for music education. What really excites me is music’s power to transform lives. I teach violin to young children and work in various community settings, witnessing how music builds confidence and creates connections across all backgrounds. Watching hesitant beginners transform into confident players reminds me why I fell in love with music in the first place.

When I’m not playing or teaching, I find inspiration in life’s quieter and more unexpected corners. I love losing myself in a good book, taking spontaneous trips to the seaside, or wandering through London in search of its hidden food gems. I believe these moments away from the practice room are just as important—they bring me fresh perspectives that inevitably make their way into my playing.

For me, music is about connection and belonging. That’s what drives me and why I’m excited to share these meaningful musical experiences with diverse audiences through Sinfonia Smith Square.