Hannah began learning the cornet at the age of seven, joining her local town band in Brixham where she quickly progressed to the position of Principal Cornet. As a young teenager she gained wide-ranging experience playing with numerous bands across the South West of England and further afield, including the Grimethorpe Besson Youth Band. At sixteen, Hannah gained her first experience of performing on principal cornet of a Championship Section band when she joined The Mount Charles Band. During this period, she was also Solo Cornet of the Cornwall Youth Brass Band and participated in many courses with leading conductors and soloists.
It was at a Cornwall Youth Brass Band course that Hannah was noticed by renowned conductor Philip Harper, who later invited her to join the Cory Band on Second Cornet. Hannah accepted the invitation in 2015, shortly before commencing her studies at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama. After two years on Second Cornet, she was promoted to Solo Cornet for a season before moving to Repiano Cornet in 2018. Throughout her time with Cory, Hannah has also regularly deputised on Principal Cornet, Flugelhorn and Soprano Cornet. As a member of the band, she has won every major brass band title, contributing to numerous contest successes, concerts, international tours, and the band’s two historic ‘Grand Slam’ years.
Alongside her banding career, Hannah enjoyed a highly successful period of study at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, where she was a prominent member of the brass department and led several college ensembles. Her accolades include winning the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble Prize on three occasions, the McGrenery Chamber Prize, and the Linda Mowat Solo Competition. In 2016, she was awarded the Harry Mortimer Memorial Trust Award, and in 2019 she received a Yamaha Music Foundation of Europe award following a trumpet competition at the Royal Academy of Music. Hannah has since appeared internationally as a guest Principal Cornet, including performances at the National Brass Band Championships of New Zealand, and has worked as a tutor for the National Youth Brass Band of Switzerland.
In addition to her performance career, Hannah is an experienced adjudicator, including at the National Swedish Brass Band Championships. She continues to perform with the Cory Band and works as a freelance trumpet player across the UK. Hannah is a proud artist for Besson Musical Instruments and is passionate about inspiring the next generation of brass musicians globally. Alongside her professional performance, Hannah now works in marketing at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, combining her musical background with a strong interest in arts communications and audience engagement.
