Having only started out in music aged 13yrs, and with a non-specialist ‘woodwind’ teacher up to Gr8 (distinction), I got lucky when joining the Southampton Youth Orchestra, coming under the guidance of Robin Soldan for that year (including a tour to Berlin).
Dartington College of Arts (Prep Course) opened up new possibilities, especially playing in a masterclass with William Bennett, then seeking out lessons with Sebastian Bell (London Sinfonietta). The highlight was working with Christopher Hogwood for a weekend, firstly masterclasses in Early Italian keyboard music, then playing lead recorder in what was the fledgling Academy of Ancient Music (excerpts from Monteverdi’s Vespers).
A year of being a part-time student at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, London, with Simon Hunt (flute) and Bernard Oram (organ). There were also some organ lessons with Martin Neary at Winchester Cathedral.
Moving on, -to the College of Arts in Cambridge, opened up huge opportunities. Organ lessons in Trinity College with Richard Marlow, getting weekly time at Clare College too, being an assistant organist at the University Church (Great St Mary’s), regularly looking after the Hogwood house. There were endless chances to play flute, especially in various folk/rock groups, also improvising for weekly dance classes. Then the Baroque Flute came along, -and an ensemble to go with it. Some sessions with Nic McGegan in London (Academy of Ancient Music) pointed me in the right direction there. Hardly enough time to sleep!
While being specialist flute teacher at the Perse School (boys) and Cambridge Convent, there were weekly pilgrimages to the Guildhall School of Music, London, for three years, doing advance flute studies with Averil Williams. These were the three years that changed everything. A whole new level of thinking about flute, tone production and musicality. This is where much of the detail in my teaching comes from.