Welcome to the second episode of our podcast series’Vanguard Voices’ from Hannah Horton and J Steps, celebrating emerging jazz talent and the voices of young women in music and media. Featuring honest conversations, shared experiences, and inspiring stories, the podcast is all about finding your voice and stepping into your own creative identity.

In this second episode J Steps talk to Anna Thirkettle, one of the original J Steppers!

Listen here Spotify ⁠J steps links⁠ ⁠Hannah Horton links

Anna Thirkettle is a clarinettist, saxophonist and flautist from Cambridge. She holds a First-Class Honours degree from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in Clarinet Performance. She is currently working as a woodwind tutor in the Cambridgeshire area and freelance performer, and was a Graduate Music Assistant at Wells Cathedral School from 2025-2026.

Anna has a passion for woodwind doubling, which she studied over her four years at conservatoire with Paul Saunders. In her final year, she self-produced concert consisting of her arrangements of musical theatre favourites for clarinet choir and woodwind doubling quartet, as well as solo performances, performing on 11 different woodwind instruments in total. She regularly performs in amateur musicals on all combinations of saxophones, flutes and clarinets, most recently Reed 1 in ‘Guys and Dolls’ at Wells Little Theatre. In 2024 she played Reeds in ‘Our House’ the musical with National Youth Music Theatre at the Southwark Playhouse in London.

During her time at conservatoire, she performed in the RBC Symphony Orchestra, RBC Jazz Orchestra, CBSO Youth Orchestra, RBC Wind Ensembles, Folk Ensemble, for opera and in various chamber groups. Anna studied clarinet with Joanna Patton and Dougie Mitchell, saxophone with Andrew Tweed and flute with Diane Clarke. She has enjoyed performing in ven

ues including Symphony Hall, Sinfonia Smith Square, Birmingham Town Hall and Barbican Hall. Anna achieved an LTCL Diploma in Clarinet Performance aged 18, whilst studying in the junior department of the Guildhall School in Music and Drama with Andrew Harper. Before pursuing a degree in clarinet performance, Anna played principal clarinet in the English Schools’ Orchestra and National Youth Concert Band, and alto sax in J Steps jazz band.

Growing up, Hannah Horton faced challenges as a young saxophonist. As a girl in a predominantly male jazz environment, she often struggled to find a safe space where she could express herself without judgment. This lack of support led her to stop playing jazz for years, feeling disconnected from the music she loved. Determined not to let other female and non-binary jazz musicians experience the same isolation, Hannah created J Steps. This community is a safe haven where every member is encouraged to embrace their individuality and passion for jazz. The "It's okay to be you" tagline embodies this ethos, reminding everyone that they are valued and accepted for who they are. At J Steps, it's not just about the music—it's about creating a nurturing environment where everyone can grow, explore, and thrive.

Don't forget you can watch the new J Steps documentary here

The new album 'It's Ok' is available here