My first violin lessons were with the West Texas legend that was Dorothy Croft. From the age of 5, she was my principal teacher until I left for college in London. Mrs Croft also made it possible for me to travel to the Meadowmount Summer School in New York State and have lessons with Ivan Galamian’s assistant at Julliard, Margaret Pardee, for two years. When I was 18, I received a four-year scholarship to study with Professor Bela Katona at Trinity College of Music, London, where I gained my Performer’s Diploma in 1980.