I almost didn't become an oboist. Having played the recorder at primary school, and given the choice of learning any orchestral instrument at high school, I opted for the clarinet. However there were no clarinets left so I was allocated an oboe... and thus began the rest of my life. I was very fortunate to have an excellent oboe teacher when I was at school (who also taught Peter Dykes, current associate Principal oboist NZSO) and went on to study at the Royal College of Music, London. Here I won an Exhibition and studied with the legendary Terence MacDonagh and Sidney Sutcliffe. Whilst there I gained my diploma (ARCM) and GRSM (First).
I arrived in Auckland on 1 April 1987 and have lived here ever since. I have a large teaching studio of almost fifty students of all ages ranging from beginners to diploma level. As a freelance oboist, I get the opportunity to do a wide variety of playing. I am principal oboist of the Auckland Chamber Orchestra (formerly the Auckland Sinfonietta) and play regularly with many professional orchestras including the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Bach Musica, Pipers Sinfonia and the Handel Consort. I have loved playing chamber music both in the quintet, Vent and Trio Fleuve (flute, oboe and piano).
I arrived in Auckland on 1 April 1987 and have lived here ever since. I have a large teaching studio of almost fifty students of all ages ranging from beginners to diploma level. As a freelance oboist, I get the opportunity to do a wide variety of playing. I am principal oboist of the Auckland Chamber Orchestra (formerly the Auckland Sinfonietta) and play regularly with many professional orchestras including the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Bach Musica, Pipers Sinfonia and the Handel Consort. I have loved playing chamber music both in the quintet, Vent and Trio Fleuve (flute, oboe and piano).
