Max Garrard

Max plays 4th Horn with the orchestra of Welsh National Opera having been a member of the Orchestra of Opera North, also playing 4th Horn (2010-2019). He was based in London (2002-2010) where he led a freelance playing career working regularly with many of the major orchestras and opera companies in London as well as other orchestras in the UK. In 2018 Max made his debut with the World Orchestra for Peace at the BBC Proms. Max has always enjoyed the travel that playing in orchestras brings, and has travelled to countries throughout Europe, the USA, Asia, North Africa and the Middle East.

Max studied the horn at Birmingham Conservatoire and Guildhall School of Music and Drama. During his time at Guildhall he became a member of the European Union Youth Orchestra and Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra.

Psychology and Performance Coaching

Through his work as a performer Max developed a serious interest in the psychological aspect of performance and the importance of managing the pressures and stresses of performing and went on to gain a degree in Psychology. In addition, he developed his experience in the field under the guidance of Karen O’Connor, the founder of Performance Coaching at the Conservatoire. Drawing on his research, together with his own everyday experience of performing, Max works with students in helping to understand and manage the pressures that come with a career in performing, which often manifest as performance anxiety.

Since 2015 Max has been a visiting tutor at Birmingham Conservatoire and works with students on both an individual basis and with small groups, as well as with larger classes, offering guidance on performance related issues using both theoretical and practical approaches.

Max continues to build on and learn from his own experiences of performing, both in his regular orchestral position as well as taking on different challenges with other orchestras whenever possible.