WHEN DID YOU TAKE UP THE VIOLIN AND WHY?
I took it up when I was about 5 or 6, because I wanted to copy everything my older brother did. When he was learning, I kept trying to play his instrument when he wasn’t looking so that is when I started lessons. Luckily I didn’t copy him when he gave up to become a rocket scientist!
WHEN DID YOU DECIDE THAT A CAREER IN PERFORMING WAS FOR YOU?
I don’t think I did really. I was very unsure, even when I was studying, about whether I would want to be a freelancer and deal with the instability that comes with that. I always told myself I would stop if that ever threatened the love that I have for music, or it began to feel routine or mundane. What I didn’t anticipate was that leaving educational institutions (music college) fuelled my passion for music, and that freelancing has enabled me to meet and collaborate with a wider variety of people from different media backgrounds than I ever thought was possible. So it has been a gradual affirmation rather than a distinct decision.
WHEN YOU ARE NOT PLAYING, WHAT ELSE INSPIRES YOU?
Watching things grow. I mean in terms of nature, but also in confidence and in engagement in the people that I work with (especially young people). I love seeing that light bulb moment and watching them realise they can do something they didn’t think they could do before, or discovering skills they didn’t know about in themselves, or conquering difficult challenges and building their skills through sheer determination and hard work.
WHAT DO YOU HOPE NEVER CHANGES?
Nothing! We all have to change, evolve and grow!
IF YOU COULD TALK TO YOURSELF AT THE START OF YOUR CAREER WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE SAID?
Don’t be scared, and you are not a fraud! You have as much right to be on stage as anyone else!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT PLAYING WITH MULTI-STORY
The sense of purpose we all have when we perform together, and that it is always so much fun. When we perform with the young people, the feeling that we are supporting them and facilitating them to express themselves and allowing them to take centre stage.
WHAT OTHER JOB WOULD YOU BE GOOD AT?
Steward of the forest!
