Mary entered the Royal Academy of Music as a pianist, but departed as a viola player. Invitations to join the Bournemouth Symphony and BBC Orchestras in Manchester and London were all accepted in turn. Following a short period of opera in Wales came a very happy two decades with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. In addition to a busy orchestral schedule, time is always found for chamber music - recitals with string quartets, piano quartets, clarinet trio and even the occasional octet and nonet. In 1998 came the idea of the Charleston Quartet with friends from the RPO - the object being to pursue the treasure trove of 1920's/60's era of light music. Mary plays on a French viola made by Elophe Poirson in Lyon, 1884.