Jesse is a multi-woodwind instrumentalist, currently living and studying in London
Having never stopped singing since he could speak, and since picking up the flute at the age of 9, Jesse has had a passion for music. He started saxophone and clarinet a few years later, playing all three instruments for multiple ensembles during his time at school.
Jesse graduated from the University of Aberdeen in 2016 with First Class Honours in Bachelors of Music, including a First in performance (flute), dissertation, and composition. He is currently studying for an MMus in Performance (Woodwind Doubling) at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. Studying the intensive option, he anticipates graduating in November 2017.
At the University of Aberdeen, Jesse played flute (1 and 2) and piccolo (and on occasion, alto and bass flutes) for the UoA Symphony Orchestra and Marischal Chamber Orchestra under Christopher Gray (Scottish Opera), Universities of Scotland Symphony Orchestra under Christopher Swaffer, and the UoA Concert Band and Wind Band under Adam Gerber (Youth Music Theatre UK, 2015/16 AMD at RCSSD).
As part of his studies at Trinity Laban, Jesse intensively practices three instruments - flute, saxophone, and clarinet. Currently, Jesse studies flute under Julian Coward (The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra), having previously being taught by Catherine O'Rourke and Clare Mellor. His saxophone teacher is Melanie Henry (The Phantom of the Opera), with some direction by Gerard McChrystal. He also studies clarinet under Hale Hambleton (English National Opera, London Symphony Orchestra).
Jesse has been fortunate enough to work and perform with renowned artists such as saxophonists Jérôme Laran and Richard Ingham, violinist Ruth Palmer, and cellist Mark Bailey. He has workshopped new pieces for flute and string quartet with the Edinburgh Quartet, and has performed in premieres of operas whilst studying in Aberdeen.
Musical theatre is a huge passion of his, having been on stage throughout school but taking to the pit orchestras since starting university. Jesse has played for a number of amateur and semi-professional productions, perhaps the most notable of which include sold out Edinburgh Festival Fringe productions of 'Les Miserables' and 'Sunshine on Leith' for Captivate Theatre, with whom he has been playing for four years.
