About

I was born and bred in Sheffield. I started learning the piano at the age of 4, and at the age of 8 started playing the guitar and song writing.

I studied physical education at I.M.Marsh PE college, majoring in dance, with second subject of music. My music tutor and mentor, 'Wally' Walters, changed my life with his belief in me as a composer. I gained my BEd in PE and music in 1981. A highlight was performing one of my songs in Liverpool Cathedral. Wally orchestrated it, so I had the Liverpool Philharmonic String Orchestra backing me.

I then studied composition at the Royal Northern College of Music from 1981-1985 under the tutorage of Tony Gilbert. Alongside my studies I wrote incidental music for the Manchester Youth Theatre; the poet Rita Brisk asked me to set a selection of her poems to music; and I received a RNCM prize for my compostiton '444, 35th Street' (a serial piece). At the same time, much to the dismay of college, I was writing jingles for local radio and singing in a post-punk band!!

After leaving college I taught classroom music in a variety of secondary schools for ten years. At the same time I taught guitar community evening classes; became an examiner for MEG Music GCSE; composed music for corporate videos; ran community choral projects; and sang with an indie type band in clubs and pubs. Towards the end of my teaching career I worked with children who had behavioural problems, having found that music was a great healer.

I then moved to France with my 'to be' husband, Peter. Alongside our business in tourism, I sang in a jazz band, performing throughout the Languedoc. I formed and directed an adult choir and in 2018 I was awarded a medal (similar to the ‘key of the city’) by the mayor of Capestang, for my 12 years of services in music for the community. After Peter's untimely death, I returned to England in 2019. I now devote my life to my family and my composing.

In 2016, I was a finalist in the UK Songwriting Contest with my choral work ’Quand Tu Regarderas Le Ciel”, and I was a semi-finalist in 2020 with my instrumental piece “Beneath an Evening Moon”.

I don't have a favourite composer or style of music. I love serious music from all eras; and I love folk, jazz, rock and pop. I would say that I love music from early Gregorian chant through to Billie Eilish! All have helped shape my style of writing.