Person to Person: 'I love to spend my free time looking after other people’s horses'

Tell us about yourself;

I’m a Finnish violinist living in Cork. I play with Baroque ensembles, chamber groups, bands, and I teach in MTU CSM. I own a theremin, try to grow vegetables in small spaces, and love to spend my free time looking after and riding other people’s horses.

Where were you born?

Helsinki, Finland.

Where do you live?

Cork city, near the Lough.

Family?

I’m the eldest of four children and grew up in a musical family. My own family includes husband Fergal, three kids, cat Pippin, two hens in the backyard, and we’re getting a bearded dragon yet to be named this weekend...

Best friend?

Many good friends rather than one best one. Though special mention has to go to my trusted luthier and dear old cellist pal Bertrand Galen.

Earliest childhood memory?

I’ve got the memory of a goldfish. However, I kind of remember crashing into a wall on a teeny weeny bike, I think I was three.

Person you most admire?

Anyone who keeps going and stays positive when things are tough.

Person who most irritates you?

Performers who are boring.

Where was your most memorable holiday?

Probably my first ever trip somewhere warm and exotic as a kid - Tenerife around 1990.

Favourite TV programme?

Me and the kids love watching old episodes of Great British Bake Off.

Favourite radio show?

I like to listen to Newstalk and RTÉ Radio 1 when I drive. Also Vlad’s Vox Nostra on Lyric FM is consistently fantastic.

Your signature dish if cooking?

I love cooking and entertaining. Signature dish might be my sourdough bread when I get it right. I also have a nice, simple tiramisu recipe I learned from a Sicilian friend.

Favourite restaurant?

I’d love to go back to Ballymaloe, haven’t been in many years but that dessert trolley was the stuff of legends. Also, we had a lovely dinner on my birthday in Elbow Lane, great food.

Last book you read?

The Diary Of A Provincial Lady (E.M.Delafield).

Best book you read?

Of last few months, either Wind In The Willows (!) or Lady Chatterley’s Lover (DH Lawrence). Of last few years, Just Kids (Patti Smith). All time favourite, North Star trilogy by Finnish writer Väinö Linna.

Last album/CD/download you bought?

An LP called Äyskäri by Jaakko Laitinen & Väärä raha - fun, groovy Finnish-Balkan stuff.

Favourite song?

Ach daß ich Wassers Gnug hätte, by Johann Christoph Bach. Some of the best stuff ever was written in the 17th century before harmonies got predictable.

One person you would like to see in concert?

Freddie Mercury. I’ve been a big fan of early obscure Queen songs since I was a teen.

Morning person or night owl?

Neither. I’m sleepy in the morning and find it hard to stay awake after 11pm.

Your proudest moment?

Arranging (and playing/acting) Purcell’s Dido & Aeneas for Cork Opera House. John O’Brien’s productions are always fab and this one was very special. Another good one was playing with the Irish Baroque Orchestra at the BBC Proms last August - unforgettable.

Spendthrift or saver?

Spendthrift definitely.

Name one thing you would improve in your area in which you live?

More greenery and trees.

What makes you happy?

Hanging out with horses.

How would you like to be remembered?

As a good egg, hopefully.

What else are you up to at the moment?

Lots of lovely tours coming up this spring - with Solas Quartet, Vanbrugh & Friends and the Irish Baroque Orchestra - and I’m looking forward to performing at the Ortús Chamber Music Festival which takes place in various venues around Cork city and country from February 21 to March 1. See www.ortusfestival.ie