Born: Aberdeen, Scotland

Studied: I studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the Hamburg Music School. Following that I was freelancing in orchestras all over the UK, presenting children’s concerts and workshops, and teaching.

Joined: 2025

Favourite piece of music: If I had to give one favourite piece, maybe I would say, Götterdämmerung by Wagner; the end of the Ring Cycle. The last few pages always brings me to tears – it is so overwhelming and completely amazing. And then I’d always have to try to pull myself together at the end before the lights came back in the theatre, and before the oboists would turn round and say – she’s crying… again!

Favourite ballet to play: I listened to a lot of the Swan Lake ballet music which was incorporated into the story cassette tape that I listened to as a child, and that is the first ballet I saw too. I was completely blown away watching all the swans dancing perfectly together. So when I play that now, it really brings back some beautiful memories.

Why the bassoon? The Head of Music at my school said he had been waiting for the right pupil to try a dusty bassoon that lived in the school cupboard, and having absolutely no idea what it was, I said yes. Luckily it must have been love at first sight – or should I say first honk?

What do you love about playing it? I love the sound of the bassoon; sometimes it can be soulful, sometimes funny, and sometimes it can fit in and blend in to add to a character within a chord. I love that the bassoon is so versatile in that way, and I particularly love that I also get to play the contra bassoon, which is so low that when I first started to play, the vibrations would tickle my lips!

Most challenging piece you have played? I am in an ensemble called the Riot Ensemble and it was decided that we would record theBerio Sequenza. For the bassoon, that requires circular breathing for 20 minutes and some crazy extended techniques. I put off learning it for the first six months because even the first page of music intimidated me. Then I inflicted hours of practice on my neighbours, with what my husband said sounded like an aggravated bluebottle. I have to say I was relieved when the recording was completed!

Alternative career: A dancer – I started classes aged two, and danced in competitions and festivals until I left for music college. Playing in a pit under professionals is a dream for me!