Catherine is Deputy Head of the School of Strings atthe Royal Northern College of Music. She began her musical studies with MarionHillier, before going on to study at Chetham’s School of Music and theRNCM. Further training included courses at Yale University and theBritten-Pears School for Advanced Musical Studies in Aldeburgh. In 1989 shebecame a member of the Sorrel Quartet which was formed at the RNCM under thetutelage of Dr Christopher Rowland and worked regularly with members of theVermeer, Borodin, Alban Berg and Allegri Quartets.
The Quartet went on to become one of Britain’sforemost ensembles, performing extensively both at home and abroad andbroadcasting regularly on BBC Radio, and a long association with ChandosRecords saw the recording of twelve discs. These include the complete Quartetsof Shostakovich, all the major quartet works of Britten and a criticallyacclaimed disc of the Elgar Quartet and Piano Quintet, with pianist Ian Brown.
Catherine’s career took a sharp change of directionin 2007, with her appointment as Principal Second Violin with the Hallé. Sheheld this position for six years, combining symphony orchestra life with a busyprogramme of teaching and chamber music, both as violinist and viola player.After leaving the Halle, she took up her current position at the RNCM whilstcontinuing to perform regularly as Guest Principal with many leadingorchestras, including BBC Symphony Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra,Royal Northern Sinfonia and Welsh National Opera. She continues to fuel herpassion for chamber music and is involved with a number of charitableorganisations that support young musicians