Marie-Christine was born in Oberhausen, Germany and grew up in the Lower Rhine Area. When she was eight years old her Mum took her to a concert in the local music school where they introduced different instruments and Marie fell in love with the sound of the flute – ‘we went to talk to the teacher but he said I was too young because I didn't have all my permanent teeth yet. I kept begging though and I became his youngest student!’

She went on to study in Cologne with Professor Robert Winn and at the Karajan Academy in Berlin, a training schemeof the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra which included playing in the orchestra regularly and having lessons with their flute players at the same time – ‘a great learning experience!’

As section leader flute Marie-Christine’s highlights include the orchestra’s European tours, especially playing in famous concert halls like the Musikverein in Vienna or at the Lucerne Festival.

Outside of the CBSO Marie-Christine is also a member of the Birmingham Contemporary Music Group and teaches at Birmingham Conservatoire. When she is not working (which doesn't happen very often!) she likes to go swimming, visit an interesting exhibition in London or go shopping.