Philosophy

I am a great believer in the live performance of music, whether in an international concert hall or among friends, we all have the ability and opportunity to communicate great music with one another! This is the most important aspect of performing, and whether it is achieved by a six-year-old playing Twinkle Twinkle on the recorder in his school concert, or an international star performing Rachmaninoff’s 3rd piano concert at the Barbican in London, is irrelevant.

My experience as a beginner

I am a classically trained, professional pianist who has performed in many varied capacities since the age of eight. My first encounter with a piano was at three years old, and I started taking lessons two years later, after hearing my first classical recording of Beethoven’s 6th Symphony.

I fell in love, and to this day Beethoven holds a special place in my heart.

As a student

I spent ten years learning the piano with Judith Burton, until I received a scholarship to the Royal Northern College of Music to continue on an undergraduate degree course. I also took up the cello at the age of 12 and under the tutelage of Loraine Nagioff, achieved grade 8 six years later. My learning on the cello was made possible by the support of the Robert Bouffler Music Trust, and Pilgrim Trust, to which I am eternally grateful. My time with Judith was inspiring, and it was with her that my love of music blossomed. I performed frequently in festivals and concerts and followed the ABRSM grade system. This culminated in winning the North London Piano Competition. Other highlights during this time included giving a piano recital at the Irish Embassy to the Holy See in Rome at thirteen, and reaching the regional finals of the 1999 BBC Young Musician of the Year.

My studentship at the RNCM was valuable and engaging. I studied with Kathryn Stott and Carole Presland, and frequently performed in master classes to Stephen Hough, Martin Roscoe, Pierre-Laurent Aimard and others.  As a soloist I performed in many international music festivals, and received the RNCM’s Shirley Cattarall award in my first year. I’ve always enjoyed performing with other musicians, and I took advantage of the many opportunities that the RNCM presented. I played in several chamber ensembles, including the RNCM Horn Trio, which received awards and gave concerts throughout the UK. I also played regularly as an orchestral pianist, performing with the RNCM’s Wind Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall, and recording the Bush symphonies with the RNCM Symphony Orchestra. Alongside performing at the RNCM, I spent my fifth year working with the concerts manager, Margaret Barry, which led to my assisting the orchestra manager of the Manchester Camerata, and working as team coordinator for the international Lake District Summer Music festival.

I completed my five-year training at the RNCM in 2005 with a Master of Music degree.

As a professional

I now share my time between performing and teaching, and love both equally. As a solo recitalist I perform music ranging from the baroque period to works by living composers; I also play for corporate and social functions. I accompany musicians of all standards and have been privileged to work with some inspiring professionals.

I am currently working with soprano and artist Ingrid Macody Lund Fraser, the creator of Opera Evolution, who after a successful performance in the UK, is planning future performances and a tour of Norway.

At the 2010 NAMM show Paolo Fazioli informally invited me to the 2010 MusikMesse in Frankfurt, where I demonstrated some of his finest instruments at the Fazioli exhibition. This also led to an invitation to America to give solo performances and record for PianoCulture Records.

“Pulling together a new team which was so hard working and so wide spread needed a clear head, good communication skills, good people skills and patience - you gave us all these and more in abundance. A huge thank you from all of us at LDSM.”

Andrew Lucas, Executive Organiser of LDSM, 2005.

“Nadine plays with great sensitivity and has a broad dynamic range...”

“This [Horn Trio by Lennox Berkeley] performance felt faultless. The opening allegro exhibited clever, inventive interaction...

...The inclusion of the exquisite Ravel Sonatine for solo piano was most welcoming. The opening movement was fluid and fast while there were many delicate moments in the second...”

Liverpool Daily Post