Born in Yorkshire, Cath’s musical debut was playing Hickory Dickory Dock on the bass recorder for a BBC TV Schools programme at age 8! She enjoyed both piano and violin, becoming leader of the City of Hull Youth Symphony Orchestra. She was awarded a course of lessons at Hull University with international pianist Ian Brown to prepare for her London College of Music Performers Diploma achieved at age 15.Arriving at a crossroads, Cath took the path towards Medicine, graduating from Newcastle University and met her husband Paul whilst working in Raigmore Hospital. Moving to Scottish Borders they had four lovely daughters. Cath worked in community paediatrics and general practice developing special interests in Child Development, Adolescent Mental Health, Women’s Health and End of Life Care. She also enjoyed working as a Medical Adviser for Fostering.
Cath is proud to be a founder member and leader of the Borders Chamber Orchestra. She also currently plays with Scottish Sinfonia, Aurora Ensemble, Meadows Chamber Orchestra, Edinburgh Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra of the Canongait, Newtown Ensemble and leads the Abbey Consort and Berwick Arts Choir orchestras. Previously she led the Langholm Orchestra, Yetholm Sinfonia and Waverley Consort Orchestra. Solo performances include Bach Oboe and Violin Concerto, Bach Double Violin Concerto and Vaughan Williams The Lark Ascending. She enjoys playing in small chamber groups, accompanying the local choral societies, and can be found in the pits of several Borders Musical Theatre Companies and High Schools shows.
Since retiring from Medicine, Cath has become involved in schools music education programmes in the Berwick area and also helped to set up a music and activity group for people with dementia and their carers – a project very close to her heart. She is currently liaising with Scottish Borders Council instrumental instruction service to provide outreach from Borders Chamber Orchestra to school children and has participated in primary school music sessions as well as supporting the new weekly schools string orchestra - an exciting collaboration aiming to help enthuse and ensure future generations of both professional and amateur musicians in our Borders community and beyond.
