FAQ's
​What areas do you cover?
I am based in Essex, Southeast England. I am able to travel anywhere in the UK.
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How do you calculate travel expenses?
Travel expenses are calculated from my Essex base.
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Can I select the songs I want from your repertoire list myself?
Yes, of course. You may select the songs you want played at your event yourself. The selection should be chosen and confirmed no later than 4 weeks before the date of your event, to allow enough time for all songs that haven't been performed lately to be reviewed and rehearsed. I would personally recommend that the client selects the 4 main songs for during the ceremony and leave the rest to be chosen on the day by myself, as it would allow me to read the room and perform accordingly, making sure that all guests enjoy the performance. If you have booked my services for your during your Drinks Reception only, then selecting a few songs would be excellent, as that would allow me to have a feel of your musical style and choose the remaining songs on the day accordingly to your particular taste, while also being allowed to read the room.
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May I request a piece of music which isn't on your repertoire list?
Yes, you may. With plenty of notice, almost any song can be arranged for your event. Fees start from £20 per new song, depending on the complexity of each piece required.
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I don't know what songs to choose for my wedding ceremony. Can you help me select appropriate wedding songs?
Yes, absolutely. I will discuss some alternatives with you, and you will be able to choose the songs you like most.
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Can you liaise with the wedding planer to make sure everything runs according to plan?
Yes, but the contract will be between you and me. The wedding planner should understand timings have been agreed between you and me beforehand, and these times should be respected. The planner cannot make major changes to the terms such as changes of times of over 10/15 minutes, song selection etc. Any major decisions and changes have to come directly from the client.
How long should I book you before the day of my event?
To avoid any disappointment I suggest you contact me 1 year before your wedding/event day, as clients normally book way in advance, specially if your event is to take place during the summer months. I do not accept bookings for events which are booked 2 years or more in advance. My diary opens for any particular date approximately 18 months in advance.
Can you move rooms during your performance?
Yes, ideally only once though. Bear in mind the sound system and the rest of the equipment must also be moved with me and the violin. Make sure a reserved space is left empty for me and my equipment with easy access to electricity in both rooms/areas. A change of rooms will not be able to take place within a 1 hour booking. For a change of rooms to be accommodated a minimum of 2 hours must be booked.
What will you wear?
I will wear an elegant dress/smart outfit, an asian dress, or other, depending on the kind of event you are having and your personal requirements. This will be agreed upon exchange of contracts.
Our wedding ceremony and wedding reception are at different venues. Can you play at both?
Yes, I can travel from one venue to another. Travel expenses and additional pack-up and and re-set time will apply.
Are you insured?
Yes, I am fully insured.
How do I book you?
You may email/message/phone myself or any of my agents/agencies to discuss your event. Packages will be provided and after selecting the best option for your event, we shall draw an agreement and email it over to you. You will need to sign it and return the agreement together with a 50% deposit. My direct prices are set, however if booking through an agency you may pay agency fees on top of my normal set fees.
How much is the deposit?
The non-refundable deposit is 50% of the total Quote/Package. Once a deposit is received all further enquiries for your date and times are automatically declined by myself and all third parties involved in accepting bookings on my behalf, as their diaries will also be updated.
After the deposit is paid and my date is officially booked, when shall I pay the remainder?
The remainder is payable 14 days before your event.
Can I come and hear you play live?
I normally play at private events, so therefore cannot invite you along. My public performances may be advertised on my website, Instagram or Facebook pages. With up to 100 events booked each year my time is strictly spent rehearsing for upcoming events and administrating the business.
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If we don't meet personally before my event, how will I know you understand everything about my ceremony or event?
I have over 24 years experience in performing professionally at weddings and events across the globe. I arrive at the venue at least 1 hour before I am due to start performing. Within this 1 hour window I will set up and discuss any minute details with your organisers, registrars, family members, etc. Once your music is booked with me, you can tick that off your list of worries, and leave it all to me, and I will make sure you receive the most wonderful and professional service. I have performed at over 1000 weddings to date - there is nothing I haven't experienced.
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Can you play outdoors?
Yes, however only during the Spring/Summer season. The temperature must be higher than 19 Degrees Celsius (I cannot wear a coat or jacket while performing the violin, so it must be warm enough that I can comfortably wear a sleeveless outfit outdoors). The client must provide appropriate shelter from direct sun light or sudden unexpected rain (sheltered area, gazebo, covered terrace etc...). The instruments and sound equipment cannot be exposed to direct sunlight at all.. Access to safe electricity is also needed. If it's raining or windy a performance outdoors cannot take place (windy weather would not allow me to control the bow properly and the wind would vibrate the strings of both my violin and my harp, and that would automatically be amplified too, rendering the performance poor). All the terms above must be met for an outdoors performance to be accommodated.
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Do you take breaks?
Yes, for bookings which are over one hour in length. Once the packages are provided breaks will be taken into account and this will be explained within each package, so you understand exactly when breaks would be needed.
Would you play with another musician who we have decided to have during the event as well, or accompany a singer during my wedding ceremony?
Yes, if discussed in advance and if the other person is a confident performer. Rehearsal times, if needed, will be charged from £180 per hour (excluding travel costs) depending on the number on hours needed (minimum of 2 hours would be scheduled if a rehearsal is needed/requested). Rehearsals are not often needed, as your other musician should be able to work directly with me via email/phone.
How flexible are you if things over run on the day and we need you to stay longer?
Weddings normally run a tad late (10 minutes is always expected). A 10 minute delay is expected within every single one of my bookings. I will however leave at the end of the time agreed (after the allowed grace period of 10 minutes) if I need to travel to a different event. This should come as no surprise to the client as the times are agreed beforehand. If I am able to and agree to remain at the venue for longer than the agreed time, an overtime fee will be charged. I shall not approach the client on the day if things are running late. I am strict with timings and the client must make sure their organisers are aware of my timings to make sure everything runs smoothly. If overtime is required the request must be made at least 30 minutes before the end of the set and cash payment for the additional time must be made upon the request being made, as per my the terms and conditions, which have been carefully put together to protect both myself and my clients.
Can we book you for 1 hour or less?
Yes, my minimal fee is £375 plus travel expenses to your particular venue.
Can you walk down the aisle while playing the violin?
Yes, absolutely. My violin has its own high-spec wireless system, which allows free movement within the hall/room/stage/area.
Do I get a discount?
My prices are set and only differ from client to client depending on the location of their venue. A client who wishes to book my services for a second time will receive a 10% discount on their second booking and 15% off any future bookings after that. It would be unprofessional and unfair to provide different prices to different prospect clients. My pricing is reviewed each year and all clients enquiring within the same year period will receive the same packages from me, with the only difference being travel expenses to each client's different venue locations. Please note these prices may change if the booking is being organised by a third party agency as commission of up to 50% can be added to my basic packages.
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Do you provide your own sound system/PA?
Yes, I have my own professional sound system which is suitable for up to 200 guests. For events where more than 200 guests are expected the client must provide their own DJ/AV company with a suitable and professional sound system on site.
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My venue requires a PAT test certificate. Is your equipment PAT tested?
Yes, all the equipment used during my performances (if I am using my own sound equipment) are PAT tested and a certificate of compliance can be emailed straight to the venue, upon request.
Can you perform a "solo violin" without any backing tracks?
Yes. A violin performance without any sort of backing for over 10 minutes is however not recommended as the violin sound will be 'lonely', hence this is the maximum length I would perform without accompaniment. My full performances are accompanied by bespoke and professionally arranged backing tracks, as per the majority of my demos. You would not wish to hire a solo singer, for example, to sing at your event without accompaniment, and the same thought should apply to a solo violinist or any other melody instrument.
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Do you, after having spent thousands of pounds on top of the range instruments and equipment (and yearly maintenance and insurance of these expensive instruments), after spending hundreds of pounds each year on insurances and compliance tests for all your sound equipment, having had years of private tuition and arduous effort to become the professional musician you are today, after suffering from back and neck pain due to numerous daily hours of practice and rehearsal time, countless hours of administration each week, expensive advertising investment, and after having established yourself as one of the most sough-after events violinists in the United Kingdom, offer your professional skills and beautiful live performances for free or for exposure?
I proudly offer my services, totally free of charge, to His Majesty The King, whenever His Majesty requires. I would be ever so honoured to do that. I must also remind everyone that exposure can kill.