Oboe and Cor Anglais

Mary is from Leigh-on-Sea in Essex and has played for Northern Ballet Sinfonia since October 1999.

Learn more about Mary

Where did you train?

I trained at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.

Which other orchestras have you played for?

I am also a member of Manchester Camerata.

Proudest career achievements?

I lived in Glasgow for 15 years where I freelanced, and one concert that sticks in my mind was a epic concert of Mozart with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra conducted by Sir Charles Mackerras and featuring Alfred Brendel. It was an amazing week and I will never forget it!

I feel extremely lucky to have had 20+ years working with such a great bunch of musicians who I am privileged to call my friends too. The Sinfonia has a very unique feeling, a very supportive and friendly group of people to play with.

Favourite Northern Ballet production?

I Got Rhythm. We sat on stage in a jazz band formation and got to watch all the fabulous dancing while trying to concentrate on our own jobs!

Favourite composer to play?

No particular favourite. I love a bit of Mozart and some high end Baroque, such as Rameau and Bach. Love Brahms, Sibelius, Tchaikovsky, anything with a good tune. Nothing too modern and squeaky!

How do you relax in your spare time?

As all of my friends and colleagues know I am a greyhound obsessive and love nothing more than walking with my dog, Peanut, in the countryside and watching her run and hoping she will comeback.

In my spare time I listen to all of the composers mentioned above but I also love the big band sound, Ella Fitzgerald, Chet Baker and that sort of jazz.