Education & Achievements

Academic background and personal accomplishments

🎓 Education

BMus (Hons) Composition

Birmingham Conservatoire, Birmingham, UK

September 2003 – June 2007

Left before completion of the course to pursue a career in software and web development. The musical training provided a unique creative perspective that continues to influence problem-solving and architectural thinking in software engineering.

🏅 Achievements

🥋

Bujinkai Karate — Blue Belt

1991–1997

🎻

Cello — Grade 8 with Distinction

1992–2002

Learned through private tuition.

🎹

Piano — Grade 4 with Distinction

1995–2001

🎵

Northamptonshire County Orchestras

1994–2002

Became leader of the cello section of the County Youth Orchestra at age 15. Performed at the Royal Festival Hall and Royal Albert Hall in London. Toured Finland and Italy.

🎼

Principal Cellist — County Chamber Orchestra

1998–2001

🏆

Bach Cello Competition Winner — "Under 19" Section

1999

Won at the Northampton Festival at the age of 15.

🎯 Personal

Nationality

British, holder of full UK passport

Date of Birth

April 30th, 1984

Marital Status

Single

Location

Welsh border near Kington — can relocate

Interests
  • All aspects of computing
  • Writing, performing and listening to music — from early classical through to modern dance, pop, rock, hip hop
  • Walking, climbing and rollerblading
  • Watching football at Brentford FC