What is your idea of perfect happiness? 
 
Sitting on a mountain terrace in Italy in the sun, with a large gin & tonic, a crossword and a book (or several), and absolutely no agenda!
 
What non-musical hobbies or interests do you have? 

Languages – I love learning languages and learning about languages. If I had my student time again I might choose linguistics. For example I’ve been learning Italian for many years, and of course much of the repertoire we programme with Monteverdi String Band involves Italian texts. Recently I have started to unwind by watching dystopian Korean TV series, and became fascinated by the language to the point of trying to learn a few words – which is proving a significantly harder challenge! 

What made you choose the violin? 

My mother! One day our weekly shopping trip to Bury St Edmunds was subverted by a surprise visit to a Saturday morning music school, much to my initial outrage. However, it turned out that the violin suited me rather well. Had she asked me in advance, I would undoubtedly have refused to go, so her subterfuge was understandable!