I started playing the piano when I was eight and the trumpet at eleven.  Sadly I gave both instruments up in my teens.  In truth I was a lazy student.  I didn’t practise much, never ever counted and hated scales.

When I started University I regretted giving up.  Being part of the college orchestra earned you a lot of kudos and if you were grade 8 you got to play the beautiful Steinway grand in the music room.  I was grade 3 and was only allowed to play the electronic Roland.  I did this very quietly with the volume turned low.

By the time I had my first child, I had my own piano and was playing again.  It took another three or four years to pluck up the courage to have lessons.  Playing infront of my teacher, a concert pianist herself was terrifying to start with but eventually things got easier and I started taking grades.

In December 2006 I took my grade 8 piano and have been teaching piano privately for 18 months.   Since passing grade 8 I have started to study jazz more seriously.  I have lessons in jazz piano locally and am really enjoying it. I continue to battle with the trumpet much to the delight of my family and neighbours………