Professional musician (bassoon/piano). Has taught for Junior Royal College of Music, British Double Reed Society, Musicians' Company, Uppingham School, and Triborough Music Hub.

Learn more about Amy

• When did you first develop a passion for music and your favourite instrument?

  My first instrument was the violin, which I did not enjoy one bit! It wasn't really my choice to learn an instrument, and I didn't understand why it was in my best interests to spend time practising. It's safe to say, I was an absolutely terrible student.
  
  I then started piano, and later bassoon, and began to enjoy it much more. I'm not really sure why; I think it was because I chose to play these instruments, and was therefore highly intrinsically motivated.
  
  Although I am now deeply passionate about all things musical (ask anyone who knows me... or who has just spent a few minutes with me), I believe my experience as an horrific violin player affords me the ability to empathise with certain students who have not quite taken to music yet. There is hope!

• Is there a particular type music or artist that you listen to on a loop without it driving you crazy? Mahler! I love his symphonies, especially the first six. Although that would be a very long loop, at over 10 hours. I'm also rediscovering Tchaikovsky's 4th Symphony; I'd forgotten how awesomely groovy it is!

  Mahler! I love his symphonies, especially the first six. Although that would be a very long loop, at over 10 hours. I'm also rediscovering Tchaikovsky's 4th Symphony; I'd forgotten how awesomely groovy it is!

• Explain to us the most difficult or riveting course you could personally give to a student of music.

  My particularly interesting teaching areas include improvisation (because this is an unfamiliar skill for most classically trained musicians), and folk music. I would teach folk music mainly by ear, which can be a much more tactile way of creating music.

• What do you think is the most complicated instrument to master and why?

  Hmm. French horn has a bit of a reputation, as does the oboe. I think people expect the bassoon to be challenging, but most people are able to produce a few notes relatively quickly. Personally, I find the flute very tricky because it makes me feel a bit dizzy! I am used to creating pressure around a reed (on the bassoon), so it is weird to play an instrument with nothing to blow against. In terms of sightreading, piano is definitely much harder than bassoon, but I find that piano requires less energy to practise than a woodwind instrument.

• What are your keys to success?

  Practice technique. By which I mean working out how to practise effectively. Most of your time will be spent without a teacher in the room, so it is important to learn how to improve your own playing. As many of my fabulous teachers have said, "you should eventually do me out of a job"!

• Name three musicians you dream of meeting in your favourite bar in the early hours of the morning. Explain why.

  Klaus Tennstedt. He's my favourite Mahler conductor, and we'd have an absolute field day discussing interpretations!
  Jacqueline du Pre. There's something very special about her... but a few different ideas as to her personality. I want to meet her and see for myself. And PLAY with her. Interestingly, one of my teachers did go and play duets with her every so often. I am very jealous!
  Tchaikovsky. He had a fairly horrible life, in some respects, so I'd love to go back in time, give him a big hug, and show him how the world changes over the next few hundred years.

• Provide a valuable anecdote related to music or your days at music school.

  Well... I'll never forget playing Mahler 1 on empty lemonade bottles. Or composing and rehearsing outside next to a rubbish skip (and then, obviously, naming the piece after the French word for 'skip' just to make it sound fancy). Or improvising with rap artists, on bassoon.

• What are the little touches that make you a Superprof in music?

  A genuine love for music, coupled with experience in a wide range of educational settings. I see learning as a team effort; we're working together to improve, and I'm here to help as needed.