Chi-chi Nwanoku

Who? Double-bassist and principal and founder-member of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, founder of Chineke! Orchestra and now mentor to the Orchestras in the BBC's Great Orchestra Challenge.

When people actually take the trouble to have a hobby, it means they’re deeply committed to something close to their hearts.

Instrument? Double bass

Why Get Playing? "When people actually take the trouble to have a hobby, it means they’re deeply committed to something close to their hearts. When that hobby is to play a musical instrument, and to play that instrument in an orchestra, it is all the more moving, because it involves sharing and communicating through music, which for me lies at the heart of the cultural life of communities all over the United Kingdom."

About Chi-Chi

Chi-chi Nwanoku was born in London of Nigerian and Irish parents.

She discovered the piano at the age of seven and was spotted a year later as a potential 100-metre sprinter by an athletics coach She reached competition at ‘national’ level within ten years, but an unfortunate knee injury ended this career ended very abruptly.

Fortunately her passion for music had continued alongside her athletics. At the age of 18, she took up the double bass and pursued a career in music.

She studied at the Royal Academy of Music and with Franco Petracchi in Rome, and soon found herself in demand internationally.

She is one of England’s most sought after double bass players with a global reputation.

Chi-chi lives in London with her two children who have not only inherited her love of sport but who have also led her back to ‘the track’ where she has begun to compete over 100 metres again…as a veteran!

Now, she is mentoring musicians for the BBC TV series 'All Together Now: The Great Orchestra Challenge'.