Principal Oboe
Working as one of Britain’s busiest freelance oboists, I was born in Lancashire and have based myself in the North of England after studies at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester. A deep love of chamber music emerged whilst I was still a student and formed an Oboe Trio playing at the Purcell Room in London and throughout the UK. The composer James McMillan wrote a piece called ‘Intersession’ which we performed at the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival.
In recital, I have performed with pianist, Kathryn Stott. Since 1999, I have been principal oboe with Manchester Camerata. Highlights include acclaimed recordings, such as the complete cycle of Beethoven Symphonies under Douglas Boyd. In addition, I have been a frequent concerto soloist with the orchestra, performing concertos by Mozart, Strauss and Vaughan Williams to critical acclaim.
Most recently I have recorded the Mozart Piano and Wind Quintet with Camerata wind soloists and Jean-Efflam Bavouzet for Chandos. I am also very committed to my work in the education field and frequently participate in workshops. For 25 years, I have been on the staff of Chetham’s School of Music where I have a thriving class of young oboists.
During recent seasons, I have played Principal Oboe with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Royal Scottish National Orchestra and have toured with the John Wilson Orchestra. In 2010, I appeared with the London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sir Colin Davis at the Barbican, London and most recently with the Hallé Orchestra in Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall where I continue to be a regular guest principal oboe, performing at the Proms in London and regularly recording with the orchestra.