Who or what inspired you to take up the piano, and pursue a career in music?
There was no piano in the house when I was a small child, but whenever we visited my mother’s sister, a talented and accomplished amateur pianist, I was transfixed by the sound of her playing and longed to be able to do it too. And at the age of ten, I heard a recording of Dinu Lipatti playing Chopin and never looked back.
Who or what have been the most important influences on your musical life and career?
Three fine and generous teachers: Cyril Smith, Ilona Kabos and Peter Feuchtwanger; musical colleagues; my students
What have been the greatest challenges of your career so far?
Learning how to practise; learning how to harness performance nerves; learning how to balance perfectionism and realism.
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