Kate took up playing the trumpet at the age of nine, where she had lessons in school. She was invited to join the Championship section Aveley and Newham Brass Band at the age of 14. During Kate’s stay with the band, until she left to go to University, Kate played in numerous competitions, took part in a BBC radio recording, a Nike advertisement recording for Channel Four, and played on stage at the National Theatre for the London leg of the production “Brassed Off”. Kate was both a member of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain and a student at the Junior Guildhall School of Music & Drama for three years, performing in concerts and competitions at the Barbican and the Royal Festival Hall.
Kate read Business & Management at Exeter University, whilst keeping a high involvement in musical activities. She was principal trumpet of both the Exeter University Symphony Orchestra and Exeter University Jazz Orchestra. Kate also played in musical theatre productions put on by University Societies as well as performing music at graduation ceremonies.
After a two year stint of working in London’s financial industry on the investment banking scene and playing in orchestras in her spare time, Kate returned to study at the Royal Academy of Music in2006, where she received the W T Stephen and the Winifred Disney Awards to study for a Postgraduate Performance Diploma. As well as taking part in the LSO Side By Side scheme and performing regularly in masterclasses, Kate also played in the Academy’s many ensembles (Concert Orchestra, Leverhulme Orchestra, Manson Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, and Symphonic Brass). She also achieved the Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Music (LRAM) Teaching Diploma with Distinction.
Kate is now working as a freelance musician in the UK and abroad. Outside of the orchestral environment her work has included such diverse elements as performing at the Hua Hin Jazz Festival (Thailand), in the pit orchestra for the Riverside Opera Company (Carmen), and recording an original film score.