I started playing piano at five years old, after my grandpa Cedric left money in his will for our family to buy one. From the moment it arrived, the piano shone like a beacon in our home and I was instantly drawn to it. We’ve been inseparable ever since!
Music has enriched my life in countless ways, allowing me to connect deeply with people across all kinds of settings. Although I was born with hearing loss and wear hearing aids (I’ve just been fitted with a new pair, yippee!), I also have perfect pitch, which helps me “connect the dots” musically. Because I have small hands, I developed my own style of playing - unique, expressive, and intuitive.
I don’t read sheet music. Instead, I play by ear. When I hear a piece, I absorb it, as if uploading it to my own personal cloud and when I’m ready, my hands just know what to do. I grew up surrounded by classical music at home, and at school my friends asked me to play the latest pop songs and so my enormous repertoire grew.
I did have 6 months of piano lessons at the age of 12 (after I’d already been playing on my own for seven years), with my neighbour who was lovely, but the lessons were not for me! I’ve always believed that “playing” piano should be just that - play: a spontaneous, joyful, creative act. Aside from that brief stint of formal learning, I’m proud to say I’m self-taught, and I’ve now been playing for over 50 years.
Over the years, music has taken me on some magical journeys. I’ve played for many at life’s intimate milestone moments, weddings, birthdays, funerals, as well as at festivals and sing-alongs. I’ve played as a solo artist, in collaborations, and also as a session musician and composer. I’ve also done music production work for myself and others.
One of my favourite ways to share music is through live streaming. I take requests and each set list is such a joy, a spontaneous, fun, eclectic journey full of connection and community and I never know where the next request will take us!
Above all, I see my path forward now as a musical mission: to connect and encourage people through music. So many say, “I wish I could play piano” and I always say, you can! Whether it’s piano, guitar, percussion, or your own voice, music truly is for everyone because everyone deserves to shine!