Zoe Rogers - Clarinet

Zoe Rogers grew up in Harpenden, Hertfordshire and started playing the clarinet at the age of 7. This was her third instrument, having previously started the piano aged 5, and the recorder aged 6. However, Zoe decided that studying three instruments was a little too much, so sadly the recorder had to go.

A few years later, having completed school exams, music exams and been lucky enough to visit Switzerland, Austria and Prague on school & county youth music tours, Zoe began her higher education at the University of Leeds. She graduated in 1998 with a BMus(Hons). During this course she studied the clarinet with Colin Honour, principal clarinettist with Opera North. Her degree included a year spent abroad studying in California, during which time, as well as studying the clarinet further with Doctor Miles Ishigaki, Zoe experienced American culture first-hand and also found the time to travel extensively around the area. Highlights included the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas and Hawaii.

Zoe then accepted a place to study at Birmingham Conservatoire for her MA in music performance. She studied with the Spanish clarinettist Joan Enric Lluna, who as well as being a phenomenal player was also an inspirational teacher for her at this time. It was here that she gained a lot of chamber music experience, including playing in Symphony Hall as part of their coffee-morning concert series.
Following this Zoe completed her studies at the Royal College of Music in London, where she obtained the PGDip in orchestral performance in 2001. During this year she was fortunate enough to study with both Timothy Lines, formerly co-principal of the London Symphony Orchestra and now principal clarinettist of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, and Bob Hill, principal clarinet of the London Philharmonic Orchestra. During this time she, along with Claire and Helen, set up Terzina.

Through her involvement in chamber music, Zoe has performed at many places, including St Martin-in-the-Fields, St James’ Piccadilly, the National Gallery and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. She has participated in various education and outreach projects, including the musicians in residence post for 2003 at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. She works with other chamber groups as well as Terzina, providing background music for corporate and social functions.

As a freelance orchestral clarinettist, Zoe works with various orchestras in and around London, performing additionally on bass and E flat clarinets. She participated in the Seychelles International Festival of Classical Music in 2004, touring for two weeks with a freelance orchestra consisting of professional musicians from the UK. She has also recently played with the National Musician’s Symphony Orchestra and at Canterbury Cathedral during their music festival.

Zoe is a committed teacher, having considerable experience both as a private tutor and as a peripatetic teacher in schools. She provides tuition on the piano and saxophone as well as the clarinet.

Zoe’s other interests are varied; having recently moved to Brighton, she enjoys coastal and countryside walks. As well as admitting to a weakness for shoe-shopping, Zoe also likes reading contemporary fiction, and foreign travel.