How old were you when you first became interested in music?
When I was around 2 or 3 when I used to play on my Uncle’s drum set. I used to have my own Winnie the Pooh percussion set and would play with it all the time! I got my first recorder when I was about 5 and from then on I can’t remember not enjoying music!
- Who have been your role models and why?
My main role models have always been my music teachers. They showed me how to love, enjoy and perform music. Especially Lindsay Benson from Blackpool Music Service, who showed me how to be a genuinely kind and loving teacher.
- Why did you choose the instrument that you are now playing?
I vividly remember when I was 6 or 7 in primary school and watching a girl who was older than me performing her flute in assembly. I thought “I want to be just like her” and I couldn’t wait till I was old enough to start having lessons in school. I thought the flute was such a fun instrument and loved the sound that it made. I remember the day we were introduced to the instruments and could “try them out”, I went straight for the flute!
- How would you describe your achievements and successes?
I have been so incredibly lucky to always have had the support of Blackpool Music Service. The amount of amazing support and lessons that they have offered me will never be able to be described with words! I have always been allowed to experience the things that I feel I need to, which has helped me to develop my music and my career.
My most recent success was being offered a job at Blackpool Gateway Academy to begin my teaching career and becoming the music co-ordinator for the school.
- How do you feel being in a band has influenced other parts of your life in a positive way?
It has enabled me to work as part of a team more effectively. When you are in a band, you soon realise that it is not just about you, but about everyone working together. If you just focus on yourself, the band won’t work! It has allowed me to communicate with other people and to consider what I must do myself to benefit everybody. It has also improved my social confidence. If you ask anybody, when I first joined the band and the music service over 10 years ago, I wouldn’t say boo to a goose! Now I am more confident and outgoing and that is all thanks to the social side that has been influenced by being in a band.
- What is your ultimate musical ambition?
My ultimate ambition is to promote the quality of music for everyone within Blackpool. I genuinely believe that music can have so many great benefits to your life, whether you are a few days old or 100 years old! I want to promote those benefits to children and parents within Blackpool and to let them experience the social, cognitive and behavioural benefits that music can have.
- What do you enjoy doing when you are not playing an instrument?
I like to relax when I am not playing an instrument or teaching! I like to go to the gym to burn off energy, however I also love to eat out! Anything where there is food you can count me there. I like to spend time with my family, partner and friends. I also regularly see people from band outside of the band environment.
- What was the first CD that you ever bought/downloaded or were given?
I remember when I was around 5 or 6 and hearing a song by McFly on the radio. I loved it that much that I dragged my Dad to Woolworths to see if they had it. It was the single ‘All About You’ that had just been released. I still have it to this day!
