A cellist, entrepreneur and scientist all have one thing in common — they are using the lockdown as a time to tap into their creativity to seek opportunities or solutions to projects they were working on before the coronavirus pandemic took hold.
Like millions of workers worldwide, Liz Hanks, a UK-based professional cellist who usually tours Europe, saw her work dry up as the outbreak spread. But she recognises that it has given her an opportunity to do something different: “The time right now is so unique in our lives. We have some time to think. Everything has slowed down.”
Now she not only teaches online and records music at home in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, but has also founded a project where solo musicians perform in their own gardens for free so that people can still hear live music. “I thought let’s do gigs so someone has something to look forward to,” she says. So far, she has heard a banjo player, accordionist and electric guitarist taking part in “gigs in gardens” as well as playing the cello herself. “There’s nothing quite like it — just hearing clapping, some from a long way away. It’s quite magical and we are giving people some joy.”