Vanessa began her musical life as a Recorder player and Clarinettist, before starting the Oboe at the age of 14 under the direction of Jenni Phillips. At 16, she decided to make the Oboe her first study instrument, and had the opportunity to play Cor Anglais for the first time in the Royal Birmingham Junior Conservatoire Wind and Symphony Orchestras which initiated a true passion for the instrument.
Vanessa was accepted into the Purcell School of Music shortly after, where she studied during sixth form, and received a gifted and talented music and boarding scholarship. Here she enjoyed the tutorage of Melanie Ragge.
She has since graduated with a BMus (Hons) degree from the Royal Northern College of Music, under the tuition of Jennifer Galloway, Rachael Pankhurst and Thomas Davey. Vanessa was also a grateful recipient of The Dr William Dobie Award throughout the duration of her studies.
Vanessa’s achievements during her time in Manchester include acceptance onto the Royal Marines Band Service placement scheme, and performing as a finalist in the RNCM Concerto Competition in 2016. She has also enjoyed recording "Old American Dances"- a CD of the works of Robert Russell Bennett with the RNCM Wind Orchestra for Chandos Records.
She has performed as principal Oboe and Cor Anglais in all of the RNCM major orchestral projects, in many local orchestras, and the Hallé Youth Orchestra. It is through these that she has been fortunate enough to play in major venues such as the Royal Festival Hall, the Sage Gateshead & the Bridgewater Hall, and worked with renowned conductors including Paul Daniel, En Shao, Vasily Petrenko & Sir Mark Elder.
Vanessa also has a passion for outreach work, having participated in various projects in schools, hospitals, care homes and early years settings. She was awarded a Diana (Princess of Wales) Award in 2012 for voluntary work in this respect, and also was the winner of the John Wills Prize at the Purcell School for outstanding services to outreach.
Vanessa hopes to pursue both of these avenues further by auditioning for the distinguished Live Music Now scheme in 2018. Outside of music, Vanessa enjoys baking, spending time with friends, and walks in the local park.