Short Bio...

I was born and raised on the outskirts of Auckland, New Zealand. Whilst my interests have been primarily in music: composing, arranging and parts copying (typesetting) and, of course, performing; they also include overseas travel, house renovation, movies and computers.

I was, for 17 years (1986-2002), the Principal Bassoonist of the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, New Zealand's largest city's professional orchestra. In 2003-4 I voluntarily changed to Associate Principal Bassoon. Although I grew up in a musical family environment, my first seven years of employment was primarily in banking and insurance work. This included four years working in Sydney, Australia; living with my Aunt and godmother, Dame Heather Begg DNZM, OBE - a well known NZ opera singer (who had been Principal Mezzo-soprano in Sadler's Wells Opera Company and Royal Opera House in London, and then with Opera Australia). Although I eventually returned to Auckland to help start up a family carpet manufacturing business, I auditioned for the bassoon position, which unexpectedly became available, and went on to perform in countless classical and lighter music concerts, plus local opera and ballet seasons. I was also the APO's Music Librarian in 1992-4, Assistant Librarian in 1998-9 and Deputy Librarian in 2009-12.

At the end of 2004, I left the full time orchestra world and purchased a hectare of land (with a 90 year old native wood cottage on it) in Maungaturoto, 150 kilometres north of Auckland - together with several rental properties. Although I was delayed in moving there until early 2006, I did enjoy a busy year of 'rural' life; with lots of property repairs and maintenance jobs to do. I returned to Auckland after that and eventually slotted back into the semi-pro freelance orchestral scene.