Biography

I knew from a very early age that I wanted my life to centre around music. My first interests were singing and piano (both of which I am still very keen on), and I was first introduced to the bassoon at the age of nine through the Endangered Species Centre with my local music service in Croydon. Initially, I was more interested in the French horn, but chose the bassoon instead as I found it much easier to play. I was fortunate to have a brilliant and engaging teacher from the start and, because of this, quickly excelled in my learning.

Throughout my teenage years, I immersed myself in every musical opportunity available to me. I was involved in the orchestra and choirs at my school, and would go to Croydon Music Service for extracurricular lessons and ensembles multiple times a week. It was through these experiences that I first played symphonic repertoire and realised I wanted to pursue a career as an orchestral bassoonist. In 2017, I started my sixth-form studies at The Purcell School, an environment I thoroughly enjoyed — for the first time, I was surrounded by people who had the same goals as me!

From there, I began my studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and then the Royal Academy of Music for my Master’s, from which I have just graduated. My time at these conservatoires has taught me a great deal about myself, both as a bassoonist and an all-round musician, and I feel very fortunate to have worked with a variety of brilliant professors at both establishments. Particular highlights during my studies include solo performances of the Mozart Bassoon Concerto and Michael Daugherty’s Dead Elvis, playing in prestigious venues such as the Barbican and Wigmore Hall, and winning the bassoon prizes at both Guildhall and RAM, as well as developing a solid foundation of freelance work.

The part of these experiences I have enjoyed the most has been meeting and collaborating with my peers, and part of the reason I love performing so much is because of the connections I have made along the way, both on and off the stage. I’m really looking forward to joining the musicians of Sinfonia Smith Square for their 25/26 season.

Aside from music-making, I am a dedicated tutor of both bassoon and piano in schools across London, and in my spare time I love cooking, swimming, and having a good catch-up with friends and family!