I’ve been playing the piano since I was 7 years old, initially taught by my mom. Then I had lessons at the University of Cape Town College of Music under Ian Smith. I won prizes at Eisteddfods, played on the radio (SABC) and at school.

When I was 11 I performed Mozart’s piano concerto no.12 in A major (K414) with the College of Music orchestra at the Hiddingh Hall in Cape Town. This performance was very successful.

Unfortunately my dad ended the lessons under Ian Smith for no good reason and I then had tuition from two other teachers who didn’t inspire me. I lost interest temporarily, though I did play in a band at school for about a year. When I was 21 I started playing seriously again and included modern music in my repertoire.

Meantime I’d learned to play the guitar – mainly folk music, but was starting to learn classical guitar too. In 1981 I studied classical piano again at the College of Music for two years part-time and then under a private teacher for a year or two. I performed two Chopin preludes at a medium-size concert organized for the piano students.

Since coming to Perth in 1995, I’ve played at various venues including at the Christmas in July dinners at the Mundaring Weir Hotel for the past five years. Also just about every Friday for the Happy Hour at Berrington aged care for the past 6 years, for ballet classes and exams for the past 10 years and also Moondyne Joe’s in Fremantle, Dear Friends Garden restaurant in Caversham, the Kwinana Hotel, weddings and private functions.