At the age of eight Heather's primary school headmaster tried to persuade her to play the oboe, but apparently she insisted she was going to play the violin! Born in Norwich, Heather was inspired in her early years by brother Graham – principal cellist with the BBC Symphony Orchestra – and her pianist father.

Heather studied in Norwich with Paul Clarke, who she says was ‘a superb teacher and a real inspiration’. This was followed by further study at the Royal Academy of Music with David Martin, Diana Cummings and Nona Liddell.

Before joining the CBSO as Tutti 2nd violin Heather taught at various private schools including City of London Girls and Mill Hill Boys. She also played with London Sinfonietta in the Glyndebourne touring orchestra for two years.

Personal highlights for Heather with the CBSO include Beethoven 9 with CBSO Chorus in the Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain as well as playing Mahler 2 for the first time with Sir Simon Rattle at the opening of Symphony Hall in 1991. She also loves being involved in education work and especially working with children and adults with special needs through creative music-making workshops. Heather's other role in the orchestra is as the Union Health and Safety Rep.

Outside of the orchestra Heather is passionate about her involvement with the British Red Cross as an Event First Aid Volunteer and an 'Everyday First Aid' Community Educator, and says she really enjoys meeting and helping many different people.