PA: My sister was my biggest inspiration for starting to play an instrument. She played flute in the school wind band, but my father played the French horn when I was younger. He introduced me to the tenor horn, but I liked the trombone best. When I was about 13, I got into the youth talent programme at Barratt Due Music Institute, which is a classical school. There, I played a lot of chamber music and gained experience in a symphony orchestra.

MG: How much would you recommend Norway when it comes to learning to play an instrument?

PA:Norway is very good place to learn an instrument. Every primary school has its own school band, either a brass band (in the west coast) or a wind band. Parents are in charge of the bands, which they don't get paid for. To raise money, the bands hold flea markets once or twice a year, and the money goes to instruments and instructors for the members. The school band movement means there are lots of players and the level is very high.

MG: When did you begin playing in brass bands?

PA: I have only played in brass bands for a year-and-a-half; firstly in Norway with Hasle Brass and latterly with Lyngby-Taarbæk Brass Band in Denmark. In some respects, I don't have a lot of experience of playing with brass bands, but I have enjoyed it and I’ve learned a lot. Being involved in a brass band is very good for many aspects of playing, including improving dynamic range and there are lots of technical challenges.

In Norway, the brass band scene is huge, so playing for both the Norwegian National Championships and Siddis was great fun, and it was a pleasure to listen to the really top-notch bands.

MG: What have been some of your performing highlights so far?

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