Born near Glasgow, Fiona began studying the flute with Sheena Gordon at the Music School of Douglas academy. At 18, she moved to London to study at the Guildhall School or Music and Drama with Sarah Newbold, Ian Clarke and Philippa Davies.
While in London she was the winner of many competitions, such as the Albert Cooper International Flute Competition, NYOS Staffa Award, the British Flute Society’s Needham Piccolo Prize and the Guildhall Needlemakers Wind Prize. To continue her studies as a postgraduate, Fiona won scholarships from the Musicians Benevolant Fund, Countess of Munster Musical Trust and the Sir James Caird Travelling Scolarships Trust.
Fiona joined the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra when she left her postgraduate course in 2008. During her time with the orchestra, amongst other projects, she has played in all the recordings of the Shostakovich and Rachmaninov Symphonies for NAXOS and can be heard playing solo alto flute on the popular Jon Lord album. Alongside her job with the RLPO Fiona has also played with many of the orchestras in the UK and abroad. Her most recent guest principal work includes the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, Philharmonia, Hallé, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Opera North and guest second flute with the London symphony Orchestra. Fiona also enjoys playing solo and chamber music. A highlight has been working with the Hebrides Ensemble in Scotland, on many different projects and contemporary repertoire.
Fiona has tutored on the popular Llangenny Flute Summer School and at the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland. She is currently a flute tutor at Chetham’s School of Music.
