ABBA

She is a violist born in the South of England who’s first instrument was a recorder that was given to her as a present while she as still an infant. She then received a violin that was handed down to her by her grandfather and although she showed a fleeting interest in the flute, the violin won the day and this was the path she took for her future career.

She became a member of the string orchestra that was situated in her area and when she was fourteen years old she was persuaded to play the viola. When she as sixteen she became a student at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama with 1992 being the year of her graduation.

Re-locating to Ireland she took the job of Co-Principal Viola for the RTE National Symphony Orchestra in 1993 and after remaining with them for six years where she accepted the offer of Co-Principal Viola for the BBC National Orchestra of Wales in 1998.

Remaining with the BBC until 2001 she settled in London to bring up her family and work as a freelance musician. She had performed with the Philharmonia Orchestra on prior occasions, but became a fully fledged member of the orchestra in 2009, where she still remains. She has performed in many of their events at their home in London’s Royal Festival Orchestra.

Over the course of her career she has performed as a Principal Viola for the Russian State Ballet and Wexford Festival Orchestra and also as Guest Principal Violin for many orchestras that include the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the English Festival Orchestra, the English Sinfonia and the Irish Chamber Orchestra. Other orchestras and ensembles she has worked with include the Benardi Chamber Ensemble, the Contemporary Music Ensemble of Wales, the English National Opera Orchestra, the Guildford Philharmonic Orchestra, the Irish Sinfonis, Opus 20 String Ensemble, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and the Ulster Orchestra.

She has had her work heard on many film and television productions where she has played with the Irish Film Orchestra among others. Some of these include The Ambassador, Bassykissangel, Dancing at Lughnasa, The Mask, Remains of the Day, Some Mother’s Son and War of the Buttons along with countless others.

She has also accompanied numerous artists, musicians and musical productions such as Shirley Bassey, Kate Bush, Michael Crawford, Leslie Garrett, Bonnie Tyler, Lord of the Dance and Riverdance.

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