From my first tentative blow on a clarinet at the age of seven, music has been a major part of my life. I was lucky enough to receive free instrumental tuition on clarinet, sax and bassoon through Manchester Music Service, and owe a great deal to them.
I learnt to play the piano whilst studying for my A-levels, and also taught myself the flute.
A hand injury at the age of 21 meant that I found it difficult to play clarinet and bassoon, and so I retrained as a percussionist. I have also dabbled in brass (cornet, euphonium and trombone) and latterly strings (violin and viola).
I have taught brass, woodwind and percussion in various educational and community settings - schools, Scout & Guide bands, community wind bands and youth groups.
I was an Adult Instructor with the Greater Manchester Army Cadet Force County Staff Band from 1994 to 2001, and from this I was invited to join the North West Infantry (Kings) (TA) Band (now the Band of the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment Volunteers), on bassoon and clarinet. I was one of only three females in the band at that time.
I began teaching for Manchester Music Service (now One Education Music) in January 2008. I taught woodwind, brass, strings, percussion and curriculum music in a number of schools across Manchester - and I loved my job, but unfortunately had to retire due to ill-health in February 2023.
In 2010 I decided to return to education in order to obtain a degree in music, and was successful in gaining a place at the University of Salford on the BA (Hons) Music degree.
I developed a neurological condition in September 2021, which robbed me of most of my fine motor skills and my ability to play a lot of my instruments. I can still play my pBone, but am struggling to hold even this lightweight instrument due to weakness in my left arm. I'm not giving up, though, and am currently searching for ways to help me support it. I am still composing music, and November 2023 saw the premiere of Crumpsall Triumphal, a piece written to commemorate 30 years of Crumpsall Concert Band.
I graduated with first class honours in July 2013. Conducting was one of my final year elective study areas, and I was fortunate to be offered the chance to conduct the University of Salford Symphonic Wind Ensemble, under the supervision of Dr Howard Evans.
In April 2012 I was appointed Musical Director of Crumpsall Concert Band, a community wind band based in North Manchester.
My other main area of study during my final year at university was composition - you can see some examples of my work on the My Music page.
