I joined the band towards the end of 2007 after the conductor John Dickinson invited me down for a blow.

As a teenager I played with a number of brass bands including Front Row & Soprano positions with Hade Edge. I was, however, primarily a trumpet player and held Principal Trumpet positions with the Kirklees Youth Orchestra, Wind Orchestra and Jazz Orchestra, as well as with Halifax Symphony Orchestra.

I went on to take my BMus(Hons) at the London College of Music where I studied trumpet under Bill Houghton (Principal Trumpet of the BBC Symphony Orchestra) and Nick Thompson (Principal Trumpet of the Chamber Orchestra of Europe). Whilst at the LCM I performed with numerous ensembles in and around the London area, even performing as guest soloist with some brass bands, and during my time there I held the position of Lead Trumpet with LCM Big Band giving me the opportunity to perform alongside such jazz greats as Pete King, John Surman and to trade solos with Johnny Dankworth!

In my final year at college I was priviliged to be awarded the James Watson Brass Prize.

After leaving college I pursued a career as a professional trumpet player and performed in bands on cruiseships across the meditteranean and theatres across the UK. However, I soon realised that performing to earn a living wasn't as much fun as performing for your own pleasure and decided to pack my trumpet away and find a nine-to-five job.

I now work at Chetham's School of Music where my roles include Music Technology Tutor and I can now play the trumpet or cornet for my own personal enjoyment once again.