A native of Great Ayton, Anita began
playing the Harp at the age of 9 with Dorothy Gilbertston, commuting to
Harrogate, for weekly lessons. She made her BBC debut in 1982 at the age
of 10.
Invitations then followed to perform at the Gulbenkian Theatre (Newcastle),
Winyard Hall, Bowes Museum and at various other venues in the North East.
Winner of Young Musician of Teesside in 1986, she became a member of the
Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra. Subsequently she joined the Cleveland
Youth Orchestra and has toured Europe with them.
She graduated in July
1995 with a Bmus (Hons) Degree after studying at the Guildhall School of
Music & Drama with teachers; Professor David Watkins, Charlotte Seale
and Helen Tunstall. During her course she was also a member of the Young
Musicians Symphony Orchestra and the London Philharmonic Youth Orchestra.
Some of the highlights whilst studying were; playing for BBC Television’s
Christmas Presence (Dec. 1993) starring Cliff Richard; and also performing
in Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem at St Paul’s Cathedral under
the baton of Sir Richard Hickox. In May 1995 she was privileged to play
at the VE Day Royal Banquet at the Guild Hall at which were present members
of the Royal family and 50 Heads of State.
In August 1996 Anita was Harp
tutor for the National Children’s Orchestra (11yrs & under).
In February 1997 she was honoured to form part of the orchestra backing
for Opera singer Lesley Garret. Later that year, in May, Anita released
her first public recording called ‘Harping On’ under the label
of Huntcliffe Recording Services.
Television credits include appearances
in Mansfield Park (ITV March '07), Songs of Praise (Dec. ’93 and
May ’99), Tonight (Tyne Tees Television, Feb. ’96),Look North
(BBC Newcastle, April ’00 and July ’01) In June 2000, Anita
played for HRH the Prince of Wales during a visit to Sir William Turner’s
Almshouses at Kirkleatham. In November 2002, Anita played in Brahms Requiem
at Middlesbrough Town Hall which included the guest appearance of Sir Thomas
Allen.
At present Anita is engaged in both free-lance work and teaching
around the North of England, playing with; the Orchestra of Opera North,
Manchester Camerata, Northern Ballet Theatre Orchestra, Sinfonia Viva,
British Concert Orchestra, Carl Rosa Opera Orchestra (Britain’s oldest
opera company), Guildhall Barbican Orchestra of York, Cleveland Chamber
and Philharmonic Orchestras, Durham Sinfonia, Leeds Sinfonia, Leeds Youth
Opera, Huddersfield and Slaithwaite Philharmonic Orchestras and all the
many local Choral Societies and Choirs.
In addition, Anita is also a qualified
Commmunicator for British Sign Language (CACDP Level 2)
