I live in the Orkney islands, in the north of Scotland, where I have lived for ten years now. I have been playing flute since I was 13. A few years ago I began wondering how it all worked. I got hold of a small screwdriver, and the next thing I know my flute is in lots of bits! I carefully cleaned all the keywork, body and tone holes, and put all the keys back on again. It was then I decided 'this is what I want to do'. Soon after this I found about about the Woodwind Making & Repair Course in Newark.

I qualified at Newark & Sherwood Technical College, where I studied for three years. The course covers the repair of all woodwind instruments, and the making of a Boehm system clarinet from scratch. I got a diploma with distinction, and won the 'Woodwind Cup', awarded in recognition of dedication and quality of work. After finishing the course I went home to Orkney, and set up a repair business. I will be making classical flutes in the future.....watch this space!