Born: Glasgow

Studied: Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and University of Wales College Cardiff.

Career before the Royal Ballet Sinfonia: I was Principal Horn of the Royal Artillery Band and Orchestra.

Joined: 2010

First ballet or concert you saw: A Beethoven concert of Egmont Overture, Piano Concerto No.5 and Symphony No.5. I had just started playing the horn and it inspired me to keep playing.

First album: Prince Charming by Adam and the Ants. I liked the songs and 80’s keyboard sounds.

Why the horn? I started on a cornet in a local brass band, then the trumpet at school. There were so many trumpeters that the teacher found an old battered horn in a cupboard and asked for a volunteer - the rest is history. I love the warm, beautiful, lyrical sound.

Favourite ballet to play: The Nutcracker, because it’s short!

Most challenging piece to play:Sea Eagle for solo horn, composed by Peter Maxwell Davies. Also anything by Tippet.

Alternative career: Footballer.

Most challenging non-musical thing you have done: Army basic training.

Places that inspires you: The Scottish highlands for the grandeur and beauty, and Greece for the ancient ruins.

People who inspire you outside of the music world: My children, they are nuts but fun!