About Me

I have been living and teaching in the Timperley, Altrincham, South Manchester and Cheshire area for over 15 years after completing my degree.

I am originally from Rotherham, South Yorkshire and began my musical studies at the age of 7 learning the Recorder and then the Double Bass aged 8. I began learning with Ian Beaver and the continued my studies with Joanna Bradley. During these early years I performed frequently in local concerts and competed in local festivals gaining many successes.

My love for Orchestral playing was developed at a young age developing into a healthy life of orchestral playing with many of the Sheffield Orchestra as well as the Rotherham and Yorkshire Youth Orchestras. I also attained three ABRSM Grade 8 certificates during this time.

I moved to Manchester in 2001 to study the Double Bass with Yi Xin Han at the Royal Northern College of Music where I completed a Bachelor of Music with Honours.

During my time at the RNCM I played with many of the Orchestras from Chamber and Symphony to Big Band and Jazz Collective.

Alongside Classical Double Bass lessons I studied Jazz Double Bass with Steve Berry and received Orchestral excerpt lessons.

I was also fortunate to study with Josef Niederhammer and participate in masterclasses with distinguished Bassists such as Jiri Hudec and attend a masterclass given by the late Russian Maestro Mstislav Rostropovich.

I taught for the RNCM Junior Strings Project under the leadership of Penny Stirling who also led our Art of Teaching classes.

My husband, Pianist and Teacher Michael Burke and I regularly collaborate on a number of professional projects

In addition to my love of music my hobbies include Gardening, Art, Classical Literature and Russian Literature.