Claudie Driesen, first violin

When did you join the National Symphony Orchestra?

September 2009.

Where did you study?

I studied in Belgium, Germany and Scotland.

What do you enjoy most about being in the NSO?

When we play a really good concert, sometimes with a fantastic soloist, it still gives me goosebumps.

Who is your favourite composer and what is your favourite work?

J.S. Bach, and his Sonatas and Partitas for violin solo.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received?

Always try to be yourself.

What is your greatest achievement, musical or general?

I think one of my greatest achievements has been having resilience – having the strength to maintain a positive attitude, and find new purpose through difficult times in life.

If you could have dinner with anyone (alive or dead) who would it be, and why?

It would be with someone who I could have a stimulating conversation with, someone who could teach me something new, and someone who would make me laugh. Maybe Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart or the Dutch comedian, Toon Hermans.

You’re stranded on a desert island. You’re allowed 3 CDs and 1 book. What would they be, and why?

A book ‘How to build a boat step by step’ so I can build one to get off the island! One of the CDs would definitely be Opera Proibita by Cecilia Bartoli.