Catherine O'Rourke

Catherine O'Rourke, Flute

Catherine O'Rourke graduated from Aberdeen University with an Honours Degree in English Literature and Language and Moray House in Edinburgh with a PGTC in English and History. Since then, she has gained Diplomas in both Flute Teaching and Performance. After raising her three children, she made a side-ways career shift into music and now enjoys a very active schedule teaching and performing.

During the academic year, Catherine travels from her home in Inverness to spend part of the week in Aberdeen where she tutors flute and history of music. Moving between the North East of Scotland Music School and Aberdeen University, she also directs a number of flute ensembles.

Catherine is principal flute with the Highland Chamber Orchestra and regularly plays with the Inverness Choral Sinfonia and Moray-based Culbin Singers. She is also flute player with the Merlewood Ensemble, Mahler Players, Mahler Wind Quintet and Layla Wind Quintet. When time and inspiration are given the space to conspire, she turns her attention to writing poetry and short stories. "Across The Albans," a set of 4 Celtic Fire Festival poems, was recently performed at Eden Court Theatre in Inverness, having been set to music for chamber orchestra, soprano and tenor by composer Helen Goodwill.