My journey as a professional wedding pianist

The piano has been a constant presence in my life for as long as I can remember. Not always glamorous, and rarely very "rock ’n’ roll", but endlessly fascinating to me. What began as a love of playing gradually became something more: a need to share the power of music with others and spread the love, bringing people together in the process. I still love it just as much now as I ever did — possibly more — and can quite happily lose hours at the piano.

Early foundations in music and performance

One of my earliest memories of performing is getting up during a school pantomime to play A Walk in the Black Forest (not uninvited, you'll be pleased to know). I was about ten or eleven, and yes, this probably tells you everything you need to know about the kind of child I was. It felt right, like this was what I was supposed to do. My parents were in the audience and far more nervous than I was.

Not long after that, aged twelve, I was recommended by my piano teacher for my first paid job: playing for a local ballet school on Saturday mornings. That experience changed everything. Suddenly, my playing wasn’t just for my own enjoyment; it mattered to other people. No music, no dancing.

Around the same time, I received the highest mark in my region for Grade 1 piano, complete with a medal and a cup — a moment of success my parents rightly treated as though I’d just won a Grammy.

At sixteen, while many teenagers were doing far cooler and more rebellious things, I became the accompanist for a local cabaret group, The Melksham Pearlies. Hanging out with a group of middle-aged amateur singers turned out to be far more fun (and musically rewarding) than it sounds. There was a wonderful sense of camaraderie, a lot of laughter, and a real feeling of being part of something bigger than myself. As part of Melksham Twinning Association we also travelled abroad together, performing in Marienhafe in Germany — my first taste of international performance and of how music can transcend language (even though those costumes take a lot of explaining no matter your culture).

In my early twenties, I also began playing at occasional weddings for friends and family — always for free, because that’s what you do when you’re young, keen, and just happy to be asked. It was there that I really noticed how much music can transform an atmosphere.

A turning point: ballet and confidence

A major turning point came in my late twenties when I was appointed full-time ballet pianist at Elmhurst Ballet School in Birmingham, a role I held for several years (and for which I made the big move from where I grew up in Wiltshire to the bright lights of the West Midlands). This was music-making with real responsibility, far removed from just ‘playing the piano nicely’. I was supporting and inspiring young dancers every day, and my music was valued as an essential part of the whole ballet world — I loved being such an integral part of the process.

It was also personally significant.

Despite years of training and experience, a few knocks along the way had ensured that I hadn’t always had the confidence to put myself "out there" as a pianist. This role changed that. I was fully respected as a musician and all those years of musical training - from countless piano lessons to my music degree and postgraduate experience - were proving their worth. I immersed myself in the role, constantly expanding my repertoire and learning to be very flexible as a musician — whether that was improvising, adapting on the spot, or working from complex piano reductions of orchestral scores. That balance of freedom and precision has shaped my musicianship ever since.

Life as a working wedding and event pianist

Today, my work as a pianist is wonderfully varied — and still mostly involves me sitting down and concentrating very hard while making it look effortless (something I'm still working on). I play at weddings, corporate dinners, private parties, cafés and public venues, and you can still find me in the ballet studio on a regular basis (largely for my long-standing work with The Royal Ballet School and occasional projects with Birmingham Royal Ballet).

Alongside this, the piano has led me into extensive choir work and into my role as a rock and pop examiner with Trinity College London, assessing keyboards, drums, guitar, bass and vocals in the UK and internationally. It’s a genuine privilege to inspire and encourage musicians of all ages and backgrounds who are keen to progress in their chosen field.

The choir work itself has brought some extraordinary opportunities, including singing live at Proms in the Park with the BBC Concert Orchestra, recording and collaborating with famous names including Susan Boyle and Michael Ball (and appearing live with them on television at the Britain’s Got Talent final), recording at Abbey Road Studios, and performing at the O2 Arena. The power to inspire and bring people together has always been at the centre of what I love about music.

One of the things I value most about my work is the sheer range of music I’m asked to play. I actively encourage clients to choose music that feels personal to them, and I’m often genuinely excited by their choices — recent ones that stand out include Fleetwood Mac, indie love songs, unexpected film scores (Jurassic Park, anyone?), and songs from the Disney World theme park. I regularly discover new music as a result of client requests, which keeps my work ever fresh and interesting.

Requests can also come on the spot, particularly at public performances, and even if it’s something I’ve never played — or even heard — before, I’m usually able to produce a convincing rendition thanks to good sight-reading skills and the power of Wi-Fi.

Behind the scenes, there’s a great deal of planning: liaising with clients and venues, practising, sourcing music, managing bookings and timelines, and keeping everything organised so events run smoothly.

I also deliberately limit the number of bookings I take on. Each event deserves proper care and attention, and I know from experience that trying to do everything at once helps nobody — least of all the pianist. This allows me to give every couple or client the time, focus and thought their event deserves.

Musical values — and what matters to me

At the heart of everything I do is a simple goal: to set the scene in exactly the right way for each moment. For ceremonies, that means music that is carefully timed and emotionally right.

For drinks receptions and gatherings, my focus is on atmosphere — music that enhances conversation while still rewarding those who choose to listen.

One particularly memorable moment was at a wedding reception where a guest who found social occasions difficult connected deeply with the music instead. He later told me it genuinely helped him through the event — a quiet reminder of the power music can have.

Children are often part of weddings too, and I enjoy including music they’ll recognise — from Toy Story to Matilda or the latest Disney film. Equally moving are moments when couples choose music for parents or grandparents, perhaps from their own wedding day.

Bringing it back to the present

After many years of playing, what still excites me most is the immediate effect music has on a space — even when people aren’t consciously listening, they feel it.

My journey with the piano has given me depth, adaptability and a deep respect for the role music plays in people’s lives — but just as importantly, it’s never dulled my enjoyment.

If you’re planning something special and feel that live piano could play a part, I’d be very happy to chat.

If you're already thinking about the music for your special day, feel free to reach out for a chat!