In 1974 Phillip won a Leverhulme Scholarship to study at the Royal Academy of Music with Sidney Griller from 1974 to 1975.  His mentor, Philip Cranmer, had also moved to London to become Secretary for the Associated Board and whom he met once during that year for further advice, and then returned to Manchester University to study for his Master's degree, which he gained in 1976, again specialising in Performance, and the 18th Century.  During that time, his artistry progressed, even though he had to cope with the loss of his mother just in the middle of his Masters' examinations.

Throughout the 1970's Phillip freelanced with several leading orchestras in London and Manchester including the BBC Philharmonic, the Royal Philharmonic, the Philharmonia and the Manchester Camerata, of which he was a founder and leading member in 1972.  During this time he also conducted the Camerata and directed various ensembles. Phillip performed at the Edinburgh International Festival in 1974, with Sir Geraint Evans and the English Chamber Orchestra under the baton of Daniel Barenboim, as one of the on-stage soloists of the two stage-bands near the end of act one of Mozart's Don Giovanni, performing one of the contra-dances, which is one of the most challenging moments in the operatic repertoire as the three groups of musicians play against each other in different metres.  In August 1975, when democracy had been restored to Greece, Phillip toured with the Royal Philharmonic and performed at the Athens Festival.  Having fallen in love with Greece and her people he moved to Kifissia, Athens in 1978 to take up his first teaching post at the Hellenic International School and, subsequently, the American Community School in Halandri, Athens.  He also performed a recital at the British Council, Athens in 1980 on both instruments.

On his return to the United Kingdom in 1980, he studied for his Certificate in Education, which he gained in 1981, and then was appointed teacher of music at the Rudolf Steiner School in East Sussex.  He directed the Jupiter Chamber Orchestra from 1980 to 1986 and the Ashdown Philomusica, working with leading soloists and players from London including Nicholas Logie, Crispian Steele-Perkins, Perry Hart , John Anderson and Peter Donohoe.  His performances with the Jupiter Chamber Orchestra were the result of inspired direction whether from the baton or direct from his violin.  In one concert to commemorate the tercentenary of Bach and Handel's birth in 1685, he played three differently-sized instruments i.e. a violino piccolo, ordinary violin and viola in three of Bach's Brandenburg Concertos with typical ease and panache.  Since then, he has held various teaching appointments, his last being Director of Music at Surbiton High School for Girls, which he left in 1999  to look after his two children and has busked and performed at weddings and parties etc. in The Strad  (July 1976: 18th Century staccato) and Classical Music Fortnightly (May 1988: Busking an alternative medium).  He developed his music technology skills while working at Harris City Technology College from 1990 to 1992.  Ironically, on the eve of his first teaching day, he had to cope with a further loss i.e. that of his father.  Again, however, this strengthened him and he sought the power of healing from music.  Phillip has given a picture of his professional and, in part, his personal life.  He has performed at all kinds of venues and in front of all types of people.  He is a classless musician and is never happier than when he is sharing his art with others on the street, believing that music breaks down barriers.  As a conductor, he has been known to move an audience to tears as per his rendition of Adiemus by Karl Jenkins in 1997 at a Surbiton High School Prize-giving ceremony.  He has a wide and eclectic repertoire and his playing is characterised by its sincerity, depth of tone, secure intonation and a perfect balance between live performance and recorded accompaniments.