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Isabel Dowell

Isabel grew up in the London Borough of Barnet. She started playing recorder at an early age, moved to flute and finally to bassoon at the age of 14. She studied bassoon at Trinity College of Music and at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama and during this time was a member of the Young Musicians Symphony Orchestra and the London Philharmonic Youth Orchestra.

Isabel went on to spend three years in the position of sub-principal bassoon with the Cyprus State Orchestra.

Isabel now lives in York with her three children where she has led a busy life freelance playing and teaching woodwind in schools across North Yorkshire. She is principal bassoon with the York Guildhall Orchestra, the Academy of St Olave’s and plays with several chamber ensembles.

Isabel’s interest in early music has developed over the last few years and she has performed regularly with the York Waits since 2015 on curtal, shawm, recorder, crumhorn and bagpipes.