BIOGRAPHY
Juliet is a passionate performer in several fields and an experienced recording and session musician, with particular highlights including the Band for Strictly Come Dancing, the Royal Variety Performance Orchestra and both the BBC Concert and BBC Philharmonic Orchestras as guest Principal Oboe.
Juliet began her musical life at the age of 4 when her mother started her off on the piano – a gift for which she will be forever grateful. She took up the oboe at the age of 10 and became a Junior Exhibitioner at the Royal Academy of Music the following year, with oboe and piano being a joint first study.
She graduated from Bristol University in 1987 with a BA Honours Degree in Music and continued her studies at the Royal Academy of Music as a post graduate student. Her teachers included Tess Miller, George Caird, Celia Nicklin, Christine Pendrill, Alexander Kelly and Geoffrey Pratley who taught her the skills of piano accompanying.
Her career path began with trials for both oboe and cor anglais positions in the BBC Concert Orchestra, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
This was followed swiftly by numerous West End Theatre positions as both a chair holder (Martin Guerre, Out of the Blue) and a deputy, which established her as a leading freelance player. Other major shows include Cats, Oliver, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Carousel, Oklahoma, Kiss Me Kate, Beauty and the Beast, Candide and Passion.
~ Dave Arch, Music Director, Strictly Come Dancing
'I have always found Juliet to be a valuable asset in a band as she covers that most unusual double of Oboe/Cor Anglais and Saxophone with great skill'
It was shortly after this time that Juliet took up the Tenor Saxophone in Peter Long’s 9:20 Deluxe Swing Band with the encouraging words “You only have to play 3 notes in Jumpin’ at the Woodside so a great chance to learn!”
This established Juliet as a major oboe and saxophone doubler on the London circuit.
She has performed with many of the UK’s leading orchestras, chamber, contemporary, ballet and opera ensembles as well as international engagements.
As a sought-after session musician, Juliet has recorded for BBC, ITV, Isobel Griffiths, Accord Music and numerous pop, jazz, film and cast album projects.
Juliet is a keen educator and has a private teaching practice at her home in Hertfordshire, as well as being a longstanding member of Apollo Music Projects.
Juliet is a pleasure to work with. She manages to combine a rare degree of musicianship with great beauty of sound. As well as being an exceptionally fine lyrical player, she is highly versatile and able to project a tremendous range of character with her playing.
~ Alexander Walker, Conductor
