Biography of bassoonist Jo Cathrine
Jo Cathrine is a Dubai based bassoonist and woodwind player, originally from the North of England and a graduate of the UK’s Royal Birmingham Conservatoire where she studied with John Schroder, Margaret Cookhorn and Andrew Barnell. She currently plays on a beautiful Puchner 23 model bassoon
During her career in the UK, she performed with a variety of orchestral and theatre ensembles, including the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Orchestra of the Swan, Mid Wales Opera, Buxton Festival Opera, and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra outreach programme.
In 2013, Jo moved to the Gulf region, first joining Qatar Music Academy in Doha as a woodwind teacher and supporting the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra outreach programme, while also working as a freelance bassoonist. By 2016, she had made the UAE her home, where her performing career has since flourished amid the wealth of opportunities the region offers.
She quickly became a sought after freelance bassoonist and multi woodwind instrumentalist, performing with the UAE’s major orchestral ensembles. At Expo 2020 Dubai, she served as Principal Bassoon and Section Leader of Woodwind and Brass with the Firdaus Orchestra. Today, she continues as Principal Bassoon and section leader for Woodwind and Brass with the UAE Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as freelance positions with the Arabian Philharmonic Orchestra, NSO Symphony Orchestra and the newly formed Orchestra Seven.
The UAE’s vibrant cultural scene has allowed Jo to explore a wide range of genres, from Arabic and Bollywood to opera, commercial pop, film scores, and studio work. Her performances span spectacular large scale productions with global icons such as Beyoncé and Andrea Bocelli, to exclusive high profile events for luxury brands like Dior, Rolls-Royce, and Cartier, as well as VVIP weddings at some of the region’s most prestigious venues. She also recently returned to theatre as bassoonist with Broadway Entertainment Group’s Middle Eastern tour of The Phantom of the Opera, with performances in Riyadh and at Dubai Opera.
Over her career, Jo has had the privilege of performing with an extraordinary range of conductors and artists, including Sir Simon Rattle, Sir Mark Elder, Yo-Yo Ma, Lang Lang, World of Hans Zimmer, Beyoncé, Christina Aguilera, Shreya Ghoshal, Ellie Goulding, Norah Jones, A. R. Rahman, Ilaiyaraaja, Iyad Rimawi, Angelique Kidjo, Ahlam Al Shamsi, Mohammed Abdu, Abi Sampa, Atif Aslam, Willard White, Lesley Garrett, Bryn Terfel, and The Orchestral Qawwali Project.
Her artistry, adaptability, and international collaborations reflect not only her versatility but also the cultural richness of her journey in the Gulf and beyond.