Elizabeth May

After studying at the Royal College of Music with Graham Mayger and Sebastian Bell, Liz May joined the orchestra of the Welsh National Opera, where she was sub-principal flute and principal piccolo for 13 years until 2000.

Since then, she has enjoyed a flourishing freelance career playing as a regular extra, and often playing principal piccolo, with, amongst others, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, BBC Symphony Orchestra and the English Symphony Orchestra.

In recent years Liz has frequently played as guest Principal piccolo with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra including several tours around Europe, Asia and USA with the latter.

Liz very much enjoys her teaching, of both flute and piccolo, at the Royal Welsh College of Music and at Cardiff University and she also examines regularly at the Birmingham Conservatoire of Music and Royal Welsh college of Music and Drama. She has also tutored on NYO Inspire and National Wind Orchestra of Wales courses.

Hobbies include walking, gardening and cooking as well as attending concerts, theatre and Arts events of all descriptions!