Lizzie is a seasoned oboist and saxophonist, additionally playing all instruments in the woodwind family. She prides herself in her emotive playing and a deep, resonant tone, delivering performances that are accessible for all audiences regardless of musical background.
Lizzie grew up in a musical household – both her parents were music-lovers and as children, she and her brother enjoyed picking CDs from an extensive family collection to play music from all around the world. The oboe was the first instrument that she learned at school, learning with teachers at Hampshire Music Service through to university. From 2005 Lizzie was in receipt of the Hampshire Music Award, enabling her to continue her learning through school and to pick up, in addition to the oboe, the saxophone and the clarinet. She achieved her Grade 8 Saxophone at 15, and received her Diploma in Performance Oboe from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music in 2011.
While studying for her undergraduate degree in Japanese Studies at the University of Sheffield, Lizzie continued to have oboe lessons with Christine Swaine and participated in the University of Sheffield Symphony, Chamber, Wind and Jazz orchestras. She then returned to the University of Sheffield in 2019 to complete a Master’s degree in Ethnomusicology, combining her interests as she researched Japanese music in film and TV. Between degrees, Lizzie caught the teaching bug when she tutored woodwind with Tone Woodwind Tuition in Somerset, and has since taught herself flute and bassoon. Lizzie remains academically active, and is keen to pursue a PhD in either music education or music for TV, film and video-game.
Throughout her musical life Lizzie has played with a wide range of ensembles. Highlights from her career to date include: T. Sax in Music for Youth Proms with the South Africa Jazz Project, 2009; Principal Oboe in Hampshire County Youth Orchestra, 2011-2012; Reeds in Porgy & Bess with Abram Wilson at the Turner Sims, 2011; Oboe in Thoroughly Modern Millie with RicNic Winchester, 2012; Principal Oboe in the University of Sheffield Symphony and Chamber Orchestras, 2015-2016; Second Oboe at the Peter Cropper Memorial Concert at the University of Sheffield, 2016; Second Oboe in Somerset County Orchestra, 2017; Oboe, Flute, Whistle and Voice in TUOS Folk, 2019-2020; T. Sax in TANK! Session Starducks with The Seatbelts, 2020 (https://tinyurl.com/4yzfv77t); and T. Sax in Bland Big Band, 2020. She currently plays clarinet with the Phoenix Concert Band, and regularly deputises for ensembles in the East Midlands and South Yorkshire.
Currently, Lizzie is looking for both regular and session work in a wide range of ensembles, including orchestra, chamber, jazz and pit bands. Please contact Lizzie using the form on the Contact Us page, or call her on 07591 483 078 if you would be interested in hiring her for performance.
Lizzie charges at the minimum rate recommended by the Musician’s Union.