My decision to become a professional cellist is something that has evolved through the musical and creative experiences that I have gained thus far through my life. In September 2012 I started to specialise by gaining a Specialist Musician Scholarship at Wells. Over the course of 2 years, I had inspirational master classes with Thomas Demenga, Leonid Gorokhov and Professor Li Ji Wu where I further developed my understanding of musical interpretation and the indisputable importance of excellent technique. I gained a firm understanding of performance skills during my time at Wells, which ensured a solid foundation for beginning my undergraduate course at the Royal Academy of Music. Working under the guidance of the inspirational cello tutors at the Academy has cemented my understanding of my personal strengths and weaknesses. Without doubt, my key focus during my undergraduate study has been technique - both musically and practice organization. Receiving directed critique and constructive feedback from both Jo Cole and Josephine Knight has honed my capacity to create new practice methods and strategies with which to address complex and challenging passages as well as the ability to accept criticism and at times rejection. Quartet masterclasses and chamber music coaching with musicians such as Sylvia Rosenberg, Levon Chilingirian, Hartmut Rhode and the Emerson Quartet has further emphasised the importance of personal technical assurance, musical understanding and imagination and the importance of the application of these key areas within a team. The outstanding work experience gained at the Academy has intensified my ambition to become a professional musician. Both the preparation and tour of Japan with the Leonora quartet emphasised the key requirements of self-discipline, perseverance and sacrifice. Working with world-renowned conductors such as Edward Gardner, Sir Mark Elder, Christian Thielemann and Emanuel Lopez-Gomez as part of the inspiring and varied projects from musical theatre and opera to symphony orchestra has intensified my dedication and commitment to my chosen career. It has also affirmed the extremely high level of musical ability and perfection required to succeed in this highly competitive field. Having decided to pursue a career as a cellist, I take every opportunity to play, perform, and learn from every experience. External bookings has shown me the importance of time management and the need for diversity in presentation in order to comply with clients’ needs. My work as a session musician has given me an insight into work in both the West End and recording studios where the pressure for perfection is intensified as impeccable sight-reading skills are essential. I have had the pleasure of working and performing with world renowned artists such as SuRie (eurovision 2018), Snowpatrol and Nile Rodgers, both in the recording studio and live performances, on tours and small intimate stages. Membership of orchestras has certainly contributed to the development of my musicianship and as Principal Cellist of NYOW I demonstrated strong leadership and insisted on impeccable standards from my section. Welsh culture has had a major influence on my creativity and passion as a performer. From the age of five I have had many successes as an instrumental soloist, singer and actor and I firmly believe that my experiences in choirs, recitation groups and dramatic presentations have developed both my solo and ensemble performance skills, specifically the importance of sacrificing oneself for the benefit and overall excellence of the group.
Without doubt, an understanding of audience is essential for any prospective performer, I take every opportunity to participate in concerts from all musical genres that without doubt strengthens my skills as a musician as I have gained a deeper understanding of the relationship between audience and performer and the unbroken lines of communication that work on so many levels. I am acutely aware of the competitiveness of the music industry and as a young musician; embarking on a career in this field my long-term goal is to become a professional cellist with the ability to perform in as many musical genres as possible.
