My name is Jude, I’m 18 years old and I live in Katoomba, in the Blue Mountains. I am studying a Bachelor of Music degree at the University of New England, via distance education.

I started playing trumpet just after my eighth birthday. At the age of thirteen, I attended an orchestral workshop run by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. It was the first time that I had played in an orchestra, and it blew me away. I loved the music, and I loved being surrounded by the sounds of all the different instruments. I knew that I wanted to do this for the rest of my life! That desire has stayed with me. One day I hope to be a trumpet player in a major symphony orchestra.

I have played in several youth orchestras (Australian Youth Orchestra, Sydney Youth Orchestra, Penrith Youth Orchestra, and Young Mannheim Symphonists).