Susie 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, Susie has always had a passion and fascination for teaching and music education, 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 (Berkshire Music Trust) here in Berkshire.

After a career spanning forty years, Susie recently retired from her final full-time post as Assistant Director of Music (Performance) and Head of Strings at the prestigious Wellington College in Crowthorne, Berkshire. Susie is now focussing on playing and teaching students of all ages and abilities through individual lessons. This she is doing alongside a more freelance and consultative path which includes delivering string and ensemble workshops which is something she is passionate about.

Coaching young musicians has been an important part of Susie’s career and she has worked with many youth orchestras including ENCORE, the Berkshire Youth Orchestra, the Duet Philharmonic and the National Prep Schools Orchestra.

Susie 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.

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