Music
Music
Music has been a huge part of my life ever since I started playing the French horn at age 12, and it continues to be my biggest passion.
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I began playing classical music with the European School Orchestra, performing in prestigious locations across Europe. After moving to Australia at age 16, I immediately joined several bands. I was quickly promoted to first chair (lead) French horn in the Symphony Orchestra and other ensembles, and played in the band for an award-winning school production of the Musical, 'Guys & Dolls'. After only one year at Canberra Grammar School, I ran for House Music Captain and won. As captain, I led our House to victory in the School Music competition - the first victory in 11 years - and for my efforts was awarded House Colours.
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In my undergraduate years I joined Trinity Orchestra, performing at numerous festivals including Forbidden Fruit, Metropolis, and Electric Picnic. I also joined the UCD Symphony Orchestra during my Masters', and with them had the opportunity to play at the National Concert hall and the Bord Gais Theatre.
Picture: Playing French Horn with Trinity Orchestra at Forbidden Fruit
Picture: Playing French Horn with Trinity Orchestra at Metropolis
In recent years I have delved even deeper into my love of music. I have taught myself to play guitar, specialising in fingerstyle, and I have recently also taken up the piano as a way to learn a new instrument and also get a better understanding of music theory. I believe that my pursuit of music is highly symbolic of my general approach to life and work. When I find a topic or subject that interests me, I truly devote myself to it, learning as much as I possibly can. I do not shy away from the hard work required to attain a certain level of skill, and dedicate myself to finishing what I started. The mentality I have applied to music is the very same that I would apply to any job and indeed my career as a whole.
Skiing
Skiing has been my absolute favourite sport ever since the first time I tried it at age 10. That first time I went skiing, I immediately knew I wanted to be a ski instructor. I was the first in my family to try skiing, but I was so passionate about it that I quickly convinced them to try it as well, and now our family skiing holidays are one of the moments we look forward to most in the year. Much like with music, I have dedicated myself to this sport, always finding a way to keep it a part of my life. Using my hospitality expertise, I found work in ski resorts in Australia and New Zealand, allowing me to work in parallel to my studies as well as pursue my love of skiing. It was in New Zealand that I took the next step and achieved my Level 1 Ski Instructor Certificate, taking time off from work to complete the test.
Last year, I finally had the opportunity to take the next step; I embarked on a rigorous 3-month Ski Instructor Course with SnowSkool, and finally achieved my Level 2 Ski Instructor Certificate, the goal I had been working towards ever since the age of 10. This experience taught me a great deal. I learnt how to stay motivated and driven, and overcame some significant hurdles along the way. This is best exemplified by the fact that I achieved my Level 2 Certificate just a few years after a bad skiing accident in which I broke my heel. I still have 9 pins and a metal plate in my foot as a result of this accident, but I refused to let this hold me back, and kept improving as a skier.
Picture: Practicing my Carving Technique in Meribel, France.
Music Performance
In case you were interested in seeing me perform, I've provided two videos here! The first is a fingerstyle arrangement of Close to You - a song originally by Burt Bacharach then popularised by The Carpenters. This particular version was arranged by guitar legend Tommy Emmanuel. The second song is Gymnopédie 1, and is probably Erik Satie's best-known composition.