ABOUT ME. 

 

I am a composer/producer, multi-instrumentalist, facilitator, theatre-maker and occasional writer from Derbyshire, now based in London. My eclectic work encompasses music for theatre and media, music production, classical music and community-based work. 

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I began composing as a child by tinkering away on the old piano in my family home, trying to work out music from films by ear; if I couldn't work it out, I'd make something up instead. As an older teenager I began composing music for plays at school and beyond, and theatre remains an important part of my work. Completing studies at the University of York and the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, I explored classical music, primarily vocal music and opera, blending popular and classical idioms into a “vibrant yet dark” (York Press) style. My music has been played on national radio, including BBC Radio 3, and has attracted interest from national press; my 2016 comic chamber opera, WATCH ME was described as “Wonderful: like a humorous dream” (The Times). My work has been performed in leading venues such as the Southbank Centre, St. John’s Smith Square and Saffron Hall. From 2019-2021 I was an Artist-in-Residence with the Manchester Jewish Museum, creating several song cycles with professional classical musicians and community participants based on stories in the museum’s oral history collection. Since then, I have been expanding my stylistic palette into electronic music, and in 2022 I premiered my first full-length show, electro drag musical MISS GYRUS, at Camden People's Theatre. 

 

As an instrumentalist I specialise in the saxophone. I play regularly with handpan player Rosie Bergonzi in the duo Boubakiki; our music has been described as “like music from the future” (Trust the Doc). We released our self-titled debut EP in 2018 and have played at celebrated venues across the UK, including Union Chapel (Islington). In 2020 I was the UK’s representative in the Earth Orchestra, which brought together musicians from every country in the world, to record and release an original piece, ‘Together is Beautiful’, on Decca Records  (“a magnificent achievement” - the i). Also active as a session player, I have appeared on releases by hip-hop artist Di-Vincent (currently signed to Eton Messy records) and viral synth-pop sensations Deco. I also play piano, flute, and clarinet - teaching these instruments with the award-winning Newham Music hub. 

 

I am a community-minded musician and have facilitated projects with organisations including English National Opera, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Academy of Music and Spitalfields Music; these have included leading performances at Queen Elizabeth Hall, the National Theatre (River Stage) and King’s Place. A particular specialism is work with refugees and asylum seekers, having been a lead facilitator with Woven Gold choir since 2016 and facilitating various projects with Music Action International (Guardian Charity of the Year recipient 2016). Since 2020 I have pioneered a new partnership with Music Action International and LGBTQ+ refugee group Rainbows Across Borders choir. Whilst giving paid employment opportunities to refugee musicians, the partnership has included performances at the Southbank Centre and the creation of an upcoming EP of new songs written collaboratively by the group. I also work regularly in SEN(D) settings, including several projects with Live Music Now and Creative Futures. From 2021-2023 I was an Artist-in-Residence at The Village School, an SEN(D) school in Northwest London. Increasingly my community-based work includes mentoring other musicians to lead workshops and projects; I currently mentor regularly with the aforementioned organisations, and the Royal Academy of Music's Open Academy. 

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