Evelyn Glennie

Music really is our daily medicine.

I often play on the cello-bass side of the orchestra, because I prefer the deep sounds. I can't hear the violins well.

The human body and mind are tremendous forces that are continually amazing scientists and society. Therefore, we have no choice but to keep an open mind as to what the human being can achieve.

Holidays are about experiences and people, and tuning into what you feel like doing at that moment. Enjoy not having to look at a watch.

I didn't decide to become a musician until the age of 15, which is quite late.

If I just simply let go, and allow my hand, my arm, to be more of a support system, suddenly - I have more dynamic with less effort. Much more, and I just feel, at last, one with the stick, and one with the drum.

I think I can only help to expose percussion to all sorts of people. The balance between the lighter and more serious side is important.

I associate going to an airport with work because I travel so much with my job. So when I have a few days free from work, I tend to stay at home.

A large part of my work has been collaborating with composers; I think we've commissioned about 140 pieces now, a lot of them percussion concertos.

And as I grew older, I then auditioned for the Royal Academy of Music in London, and they said, well, no, we won't accept you, because we haven't a clue - you know - of the future of a so-called 'deaf' musician. And I just couldn't quite accept that.

There are many collaborations I'd like to explore. One is to co-write a rap concerto with Eminem.