Pamela Snell studied trumpet at City of Belfast School of music, latterly with Paul Young. She joined the Ulster Youth Orchestra and soon became principal trumpet. Pamela then progressed to the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain where she worked under such conductors as, Sir Colin Davis, Andrew Davies and Mark Elder.
Pamela was awarded a place in the European Union Youth Orchestra with whom she performed concerts throughout Britain and Europe under the baton of such esteemed conductors as Vladimir Ashkenazy and Bernard Haitinck KBE.
During this time, Pamela competed in the 4th Maurice Andre International competition in Paris and won a travel and tuition bursary in the Shell/London Symphony Orchestra competition.
Third level education took Pamela to London when, after being offered scholarships the The Royal Academy of Music, The Royal College of Music London and Guildhall School of Music and Drama, she chose the latter. Whilst at Guildhall, Pamela became a Royal Philharmonic Society Young Artist, and was a participant in the LSO St Lukes Brass Academy. She played with the Guildhall School Orchestra and the Young Janacek Symphony Orchestra, as well as the South Bank Sinfonia. Pamela won the Armourers and Braisiers prize, in London and performed a solo recital in Lithuania, to mark the opening of the Vilnuis music festival.
Pamela remained at Guildhall and attained both her undergraduate degree and a Masters degree in performance.
Pamela has worked in chamber music ensembles in London, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Cork and since leaving College and moving back home, has played with English Festival Orchestra, Castleward Opera, Northern Ireland Opera, the Ulster Orchestra and the Rat Pack tribute band Ireland Tour.
Teaching is something that Pamela has wanted to do and she now works in Sullivan Upper, Belfast Royal Academy, as well as teaching privately at home.
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