When did you leave Chesterton?

I left Chesterton CC in 2018

What is your current job title or field?

Musician (French horn player)

Did you know as a teenager which career you wanted to pursue or did you come to realise this later on?

For me, it was when I joined the National Youth Orchestra that I realised that I might want to do music as a career. I also really enjoyed maths and sciences at school, so I kept my options open by doing Maths, Chemistry and Music for A-Level; however I decided to pursue music, as the idea of turning a hobby into a career really appealed to me.

How did you start on your career?

After finishing sixth form, I moved to London to study at the Royal Academy of Music, from where I graduated in 2024. I was lucky enough to be offered freelance work with various professional orchestras while I was still studying, and following a trial period with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, I was offered the job of Principal Horn there.

What do you like about your job? High points?

I enjoy the social aspect of my job; when playing in an orchestra or doing chamber music, I am always working with other interesting people, and the feeling of working together as a team towards a common goal is very exciting. I also like how varied my day to day is; no week ever looks the same. Some weeks we might just be rehearsing and performing in London, other weeks we’ll be away on tour, or doing recording sessions for film soundtracks.

What is the first advice you would give a student wanting to follow in this direction?

I would say look for as many opportunities and ways to challenge yourself as you can, whether that be joining an orchestra, applying for a competition, or simply going to a concert or performance of something you haven’t heard/seen before.