| Please tell our readers what was it that inspired you to play the cello? |
I started my first string instrument at 8 years old through the Menuhin Foundation’s free string lessons that they give in every primary school throughout the island. I enjoyed playing the violin and I picked it up really fast, however I wasn’t sure I wanted to continue the violin. I was first inspired to play the cello because I got to sit down during my lessons. My first string instrument was the violin, but after standing up every lesson I really wanted to sit! |
| How old were you when you picked up your first instrument and why? |
| I was eight years old when I picked up my first instrument, the cornet, at The Salvation Army. The free brass lessons that my church gave got me started in music and instruments. Since then, I have also picked up the violin, cello, bass guitar, baritone and a little piano. |
| I was eight years old when I picked up my first instrument, the cornet, at The Salvation Army. The free brass lessons that my church gave got me started in music and instruments. Since then, I have also picked up the violin, cello, bass guitar, baritone and a little piano. |
| The amazing opportunity to play with the English Chamber Orchestra (ECO) was given through the Menuhin Foundation. We (Menuhin Youth Orchestra) began with a great workshop in which we were separated in our different sections to work with some of the ECO musicians. In the cello sectional we worked with a great double bassist named Ted. As we went through the music, he shared with us some relaxation stretches, techniques, and how to listen for precise tuning. From just working with Ted, I felt like a better cellist and musician. When it was time to rehearse as a whole orchestra, we all sounded phenomenal! The skills that we learned all came together from every section – we were a new orchestra. The concert we had with the ECO was astounding! The energy and passion that the ECO played with was passed on to us and I really felt like a professional musician. The greatest experience was playing as a desk partner with the famous cello soloist Caroline Dale. |
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| The Menuhin Foundation has been a supporter of you throughout your musical adventure. Please tell us how the Menuhin Foundation has influenced you in setting you up for University? |
| Even though I will not be studying music in university, playing with the Menuhin Foundation has developed my organization skills and ability to manage responsibility. Learning how to organize my time for practice and being responsible for the section that I lead are attributes that come into play in all aspects of my life and that I can apply in university. |
| Do you have any plans to perform in the future? If so, when and where can our readers see you in action? |
| I will be playing with the Menuhin Youth Orchestra and I will also be playing a solo in the Menuhin Foundation Annual Concert on June 6th, 2009. |
