Vanessa studied with Nina Martin in Sheffield before embarking on her BMus (Hons) degree at Birmingham Conservatoire. There she studied with virtuoso violinist Dr. Rimma Sushanskaya. Vanessa then went on to gain a PGCE in early education specialising in music. She has attended the Virtuoso Violin Festival in Stratford for several years where violinists focus on the repertoire of Bach and Paganini and with Professor Savely Shalman in St Petersburg, Russia. Vanessa is currently studying for a Masters degree with the former leader of the Lindsay Quartet, Peter Cropper, at Sheffield University.  She regularly attends workshops with Robin Ireland and plays with small chamber ensembles throughout the city including session work in the studio.