Clarissa Payne was born in Somerset and studied the flute at Wells Cathedral School and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. After college, she moved to remote east Iceland to teach at a music school and became fascinated by the country. Clarissa also taught in Abu Dhabi, before moving to Bristol. She loves chamber music and performs regularly with classical guitarist Adam Khan (as Duo Avona). Clarissa has recorded with artists and bands including Jesca Hoop and This is The Kit, and toured with Whispering Woods outdoor circus theatre. She contributes news, features and reviews for Music Teacher magazine, and wrote the performance notes for the two most recent Trinity College London flute syllabuses. As well as coaching at the Pre-Conservatoire, Clarissa has tutored in London, Bristol and Somerset schools and music hubs, and built a busy teaching and coaching practice in Bristol with pupils from 8-80 years old.cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.