Susie Henwood

Susie HenwoodSusanne began playing the violin and piano at the age of seven and went on to study the violin with Howard Davis and piano with Hamish Milne at the Royal Academy of Music, London where she gained her honours degree. Although a keen and active performer, Susanne has always had a passion and fascination for teaching and after further study at Goldsmiths College, London University, she gained a PGCE in secondary school music and mathematics teaching. Since then her career has flourished and has included posts as Head of Academic Music, Head of Strings, Assistant Director of Music and Assistant House Mistress within independent and state schools as well as the county music service (Maestros) here in Berkshire.

Currently, Susanne is Assistant Director of Music (Performance) and Head of Strings at the prestigious Wellington College in Crowthorne, Berkshire where she combines her individual string and academic classroom teaching expertise with orchestral management, performing and pastoral roles. She also conducts and directs the string orchestra, symphony orchestra and coaches various chamber groups.

Susanne has maintained a love of performing as a soloist, chamber musician and orchestral player and was delighted to be offered the post as leader of WMSO having been co-leader of the orchestra since moving to Berkshire some years ago. Coaching young musicians has also been an important part of Susanne’s career and she has worked with many youth orchestras including ENCORE, Berkshire Youth Orchestra and the National Prep Schools Orchestra.

When not playing the violin, Susanne can be found sailing along the South coast with her husband in their classic boat!