Born: Plymouth

Studied: I was awarded a scholarship to study at the Royal Academy of Music, London, where I obtained a first-class Bachelor of Music Performance degree.

Joined: 2002

Career before the Royal Ballet Sinfonia: I was playing Principal Trumpet with the London Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, London Chamber Orchestra, London Sinfonietta, Santa Cecilia Orchestra (Rome), Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra (Norway), and was working as a Trumpet Soloist in the UK and Europe.

Career outside of BRB: I am a Trumpet Professor at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London.

Favourite pieces of music: Film scores by John Williams. Superb orchestral writing and music of the highest quality.

First album: As a child, I loved watching The A-Team and listening to the music, so my parents bought me the soundtrack on record. That opening monologue accompanied by military sounding drums, leading into a great theme played by the trumpets!

Favourite ballet to play: Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet – a masterpiece!

Why the trumpet? I tried the drums, violin and piano, but it was the sound of the trumpet that captivated me. I like the heroism and lyricism that the trumpet can embody.

Most challenging music to play: Richard Rodney Bennett’s Trumpet Concerto.

Interesting facts about you: I was honoured to play the trumpet for the King and Queen for their Wedding Service, at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, and at Buckingham Palace.I can be heard playing the trumpet on many major movies, including the Harry Potter films, Downton Abbey, Doctor Who, Argylle, Napoleon, Alien: Romulus and on Coronation Street! I recorded the music for the London 2012 Olympics, including the Opening Ceremony.