Can you share a bit about your musical background and journey to becoming Principal Oboe of CSO?

I started out playing the recorder and then the clarinet at intermediate school. I changed to oboe at high school when a friend of mine pointed out it was something I would probably never get around to, and boy do I like a challenge! The oboe happened to be my Dad’s favourite instrument in the orchestra, so when I mentioned it to him, he was thrilled. I then studied oboe at University, and luckily enough for me there was a job open in the CSO after I graduated from uni.

What drew you to playing oboe? Are there any musicians who influenced your playing style?

Initially I didn’t know much about the oboe at all, just that hardly anyone played it. There were no other oboists in my school. I have been influenced directly by my teachers Martin Lee, Robert Orr and David Nuttall. But I love listening to Diana Doherty, Gordon Hunt and Francois Leleux. They are all such fabulous oboists. I am very lucky that I have been able to meet and play for Diana and Gordon many times.

How do you approach interpreting a piece of music, and how do you prepare for a performance?

I like to get to know the work as a whole, so I will listen to a few different recordings to gauge how interpretations might differ. Also a lot of slow practise so I can prepare any challenging spots calmly.

Are there any specific challenges unique to playing the oboe that you’ve had to overcome?

REEDS, reeds and reeds! A lot of my practise time is taken up making and preparing reeds. This is an ongoing saga for any oboist. The problem is you are working with a natural substance (cane) which one day will dry out if the weather is dry or you are playing in too much air conditioning and the next day it will rain and the reed becomes thick and almost unplayable. So, a lot of our works goes into making our reeds function on a day-to-day basis.

What would you tell aspiring oboists? And aspiring orchestral musicians in general?

It’s all worth it. Playing in an orchestra is such a treat, it is some of the best music you can ever play. I love how you get so many people playing together and it just fits together so perfectly. I constantly have my mind blown when you look around the orchestra and see all these individuals working, moving and adjusting as one. It’s pretty special.

You also split your time as the CSO Librarian. How is that? What does a typical week look like for you?

I really enjoying seeing both sides of the orchestra, from on stage to the admin team. Generally, each day I will do some practise, come to work in the library, teach a few oboe students and then go to rehearsal in the evenings. They are full days, but I enjoy being busy, so it works well for me.

Quickfire round...

Which musician/composer, living or dead, would you love to collaborate with or pick their brain? Shostakovich, I love his music. And would love to know more about his life.

If you could master any other instrument, what would it be? Bassoon, double reeds have my heart.

Guilty pleasure music? Musicals….

Most memorable concert you’ve attended as an audience member? Rite of Spring being danced with a full orchestra under the stage in Paris. Amazing!

Most challenging performance to date? Um, this is a hard one. Maybe Beethoven 9, it is such a big play for the oboe. I felt like I had run a marathon after it.

Dream concert hall to play in? Sydney Opera House, I’d love to play in such an iconic hall.

Typical Sunday? Hang with my husband

Self-care routine? A soak in the spa

Something you geek out on? Musicals

Hidden talent? I’m a master cat brusher, with 3 cats I am pretty good now!

Favourite late-night snack? Crumpets

Bingeing any TV series recently? Colin from Accounts

#1 bucket list item to do in NZ? One of the Great Walks

Early bird/night owl? Neither….I am a middle of the day type of Gal, but if I had to choose: Night Owl

Best piece of advice you’ve received? 99% of things you worry about never happen.

How long would you survive in a zombie apocalypse? I’d be first dead, for sure!

Most irrational fear? Electric Shocks (from static, not serious shocks)

Best music joke? Why didn't the bouncer let the quavers into the bar? Because they were slurring.