Originally from Sheffield, England, Fiona moved to South Carolina in 1999 with her husband John for a job opportunity. When their second child turned a year old, Fiona joined the Camden Community Concert Band on Tenor Saxophone to fill a ‘much needed gap’ in instrumentation. In addition to serving on the Board, a spin-off grouping developed, the Wateree Sax Quartet was born, and opportunities to perform expanded. Also serving on the Board of Kershaw County Music Association, and being an active volunteer with Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps, Fiona loves to volunteer and advocate for live music, musicianship and musical opportunities for all.
Fiona received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music with Honors, from Huddersfield Polytechnic (now University) in England, and is a classically trained Clarinet, Saxophone and Piano player. She worked as an Arts Officer for Kirklees Council in West Yorkshire, promoting high-end, international orchestral and classical chamber concerts. At the same time, Fiona worked as the international liaison officer between the district’s ‘twin towns’ in France and Germany. As a youth, Fiona earned a full scholarship to the Sheffield Music School for 6 years, as well as being a founding member of the Langsett Dance Orchestra and the City of Sheffield Youth Festival Band. Earning a post-graduate qualification in Management Studies before moving to the United States, Fiona now works as Manager at Star Music’s Northeast location in Columbia, and enjoys playing all her instruments with the Riverland Big Band |