Born: Clevedon, North Somerset

Studied: I attended the Royal Academy of Music for three years and then did a year’s Orchestral training at Goldsmiths College in London.

Joined: 1985

Favourite ballet to play: Probably Romeo and Juliet by Prokofiev, or The Two Pigeons by André Messager.

Why the violin? I put my name down for school violin lessons at Primary school and was not chosen, so my parents said ‘never mind’ and got me private lessons instead!

Alternative career: A bookseller with a café attached.

Most challenging non-musical thing you have done: Being a parent!

A place that inspires you: Switzerland for it’s stunning natural beauty.